Thousands of people took to the streets of Hong Kong on Saturday, November 2, for a new march for democracy. Forbidden by the authorities, the march gathered a crowd of protesters, dressed in black and many of whom had their faces masked.

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In front of them, the Hong Kong police used tear gas and water cannon to try to disperse them. Clashes soon followed with the riot police, which increased the number of arrests.

With sustained fire of tear gas and a water cannon, the police chased groups of protesters who blocked streets, built barricades and vandalized businesses, including shattering the office windows of the agency. Chinese state news press China.

On Friday, China issued a new warning, warning that it would not tolerate "any activity" that would divide the country or threaten national security. Beijing wants to "strengthen national consciousness and patriotism" in Hong Kong "through education in Chinese history and culture".

"The government and the police have ignored and repressed the demands of the people so we must continue the movement to show them that we still want what we demand," an 18-year-old protester, Gordon Tsoi, told AFP. mask.

"The [Hong Kong] government is fully controlled by the central government now, so we have to go out to protect the freedoms we deserve," said another 17-year-old protester who said he wanted to remain anonymous.

Beijing interference

For the 22nd consecutive weekend of mobilization, the police had authorized a rally in the evening but rejected a request for a march during the afternoon citing security fears. As many times before, protesters ignored the ban.

A former British colony returned to China in 1997, Hong Kong enjoys freedoms unknown in mainland China under its Basic Law (Regional Constitution), such as freedom of expression and demonstration and independent justice.

But Hong Kong has experienced since the beginning of June almost daily demonstrations, and more and more violent, to denounce the growing interference of Beijing and demand democratic reforms.

With AFP