The protesters not only defy the Chinese central government in Beijing, but also heavy rains in Sunday's protests. The Reuters news agency describes the large number of participants as a sign of the protest movement's large support from the public, despite the protests having been going on for almost three months.

The people gathered at Victoria Park in the Causeway Bay district hold signs with slogans like "Liberate Hong Kong!" "Democracy Now!". Despite previous violence, at 12 Swedish times it was a peaceful event, but the participants' frustration is clear.

"No other choice"

- It's damn hot and it's raining. In the name of honesty, it is torture to even come here, student Jonathan tells Reuters news agency.

- But we have to because we have no other choice.

Among the participants were both young and old, and although the organizers did not get permission, the crowd is larger than the park, and some protesters are reported to be on their way to other places in the city.

Beijing sharpens the tone

The protests were triggered by a bill that would allow criminal suspects to be extradited to the mainland, which caused great concern as democratic freedoms are considerably greater in Hong Kong. However, since then, the protests have widened, and protesters are expressing dissatisfaction with what is seen as Beijing's generally growing influence over Hong Kong.

Beijing has also sharpened its harsh tone against protesters. Pictures of Chinese paramilitary forces training in the city of Shenzhen, which is very close to Hong Kong, have also spewed concern that Beijing should intervene with violence.