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Young pro-democracy demonstrators in Hong Kong on September 8, 2019. RFI / Stéphane Lagarde

In Hong Kong, pro-democracy activists are again on the streets this Sunday, September 8th, proof that the removal of the draft law on extraditions a few days ago is not enough to calm the anger.

With our special correspondent in Hong Kong, Stéphane Lagarde

After the removal of the extradition bill by the head of the Hong Kong executive, Carrie Lam, the protesters change their strategy and now seem to count on the support of the United States.

Pro-democracy militants gathered in front of the US consulate with many English slogans and American flags, rare things so far in the protests in Hong Kong where we had taken good care not to appear too marked precisely by the stranger.

The protesters hope that the US Congress will be able to review the act that binds the United States to the special administrative region, the 1992 treaty primarily focused on finance, customs and US exports.

The reaction of Beijing should not delay

Opponents would now like this link with the United States to be more political and focused on defending freedoms in Hong Kong. In the crowd this afternoon, we also find drawings of the Statue of Liberty, sometimes diverted and dressed in a black T-shirt and wearing a yellow helmet, symbol of Hong Kong protesters, and placards stretched arms raised in front of the US Consulate of Hong Kong.

The protesters are appealing directly to the support of the US Congress while so far President Trump has remained cautious about Hong Kong for fear of offending Beijing in the middle of a trade war.

This is important because we want to demonstrate solidarity and unity. Show that Hong Kong is not alone on the boat of liberties and democracy. In these difficult times when Hong Kong people fear that with the approach of October 1 and the anniversary of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, the government and Beijing will try to quell the dispute.

Kenneth Chan, professor of political science and former president of the Hong Kong Civic Party 08/09/2019 - by Stéphane Lagarde

By calling the United States to the rescue, the people of Hong Kong, tired of these three months of protest, certainly will certainly react to Beijing. In the crowd, we could even see flags demanding the independence of Hong Kong, something obviously unacceptable to the Chinese power.