The protest movement in Hong Kong is planning a major demonstration on Saturday, August 3 afternoon, a new sign of defiance towards China that multiplies warnings and repressive actions during an increasingly tense crisis. The day before, officials joined the movement in a big rally.
Beijing and the local authorities raised the tone this week, making dozens of arrests. And the Chinese army announced that it would be ready to quell the "intolerable" troubles if asked.
The protesters, however, remained inflexible and promised to hold several rallies and demonstrations throughout the weekend and next week.
The first rally should take place in the densely populated suburb of Mongkok, which has already been the scene of clashes between police and protesters. The police initially banned the demonstration in this district, before authorizing it after examining an appeal.
Sunday, August 4, there are two marches that are planned, one on the island of Hong Kong and the other in the area of Tseung Kwan O. And Monday 5, a general strike is convened throughout the city, in addition to gatherings in seven localities.
The megacity of southern China, which is experiencing its worst political crisis since its return in 1997 by London, has already experienced eight consecutive weekends of massive demonstrations, often followed by clashes between small radical groups and law enforcement agencies. .
Intensified repression
The crisis started two months ago when the opposition rebelled against a bill allowing extradition to mainland China. The text was suspended, but the movement expanded to challenge the decline of freedoms in the former British colony, and demand democratic reforms.
Under the principle of "One country, two systems" which had presided over the surrender of Hong Kong by Great Britain, the city enjoyed until 2047 freedoms unknown in the rest of the country. But more and more voices are worried that Beijing will flout that deal. Many cite the incarceration of Hong Kong-based booksellers in China, the persecution of prominent politicians, and the imprisonment of pro-democracy leaders.
Exasperation and anxiety are real among the inhabitants of the financial stronghold. The rise of violence by both extremist protesters and the police, however, plunges the crisis into unpredictable developments.
The security forces repeatedly use rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the crowd, which in turn uses projectiles. And 45 protesters were hospitalized after being attacked by pro-government thugs, suspected of belonging to triads (local mafias). Adding to the climate of tension, the authorities announced the arrest Thursday, August 1 evening of seven men and a woman accused of possession of explosives.
The repression intensifies: this week, 44 protesters were accused of being rioters, a charge for which they face up to ten years in prison. The authorities also warned their employees that they risked nothing more than a dismissal if they went out on the streets.
The head of the executive, Carrie Lam, suspended the controversial text and made few public appearances. The protesters are demanding his resignation and an independent investigation into the police strategy, the amnesty of the incarcerated protesters, the outright withdrawal of the bill and the right to elect their leaders.
With AFP