Hong Kong: a giant demonstration without violence

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According to the organizers, there were more than 1.7 million people gathered in Victoria Park for the Sunday 18 August protest. AFP / Isaac Lawrence

Huge success for the pro-democracy demonstration in Hong Kong on Sunday, August 18th. According to the organizers, 1.7 million people have flocked to and around Victoria Park despite torrential rain. But above all, the peaceful nature of the event will have been assured.

With our special correspondent in Hong Kong , Aabla Jounaïdi

No violence to be deplored and no tear gas fired . However, a forbidden march took place Sunday in Hong Kong. The demonstrators had fun. In front of the crowd and the impressive number of people on the roads leading to the Victoria Park, they have borrowed on foot fast tracks that connect the east and the west of the city. Traffic was interrupted on these roads. Given their numbers, it was impossible for the police to stop them.

The demonstrators remain well grouped in the park while a torrential rain declared on HK. Fortunately, everyone has planned umbrellas #HongKongProtests pic.twitter.com/zfvaV8vonE

In the aftermath of this giant demonstration , the protesters and the police get down on the numbers. For the organizers, they were more than 1.7 million, despite the rain. It's huge, it's the equivalent of the first June demonstrations against the government. But according to the police, he was only 128,000.

No police violence

The police did not distinguish themselves by its brutality. Even in the late evening, when radical militants wanted to hold the street in front of the seat of government. She kept her cool and held on to verbal warnings.

After standing on the road in the vicinity of the Government House, protesters withdrew to the call of the police and especially their comrades who did not want this day of mobilization without any violence, was spoiled https: //t.co/v2Ib68m3EQ

Other demonstrators convinced the most radical to return home. To preserve to the end the peaceful nature of the event. The organizers believe that the essential is safe: the appointment of this Sunday recalled the popular character of the claims brought by the protesters. In particular, the total withdrawal of the draft law on extradition to China.