Despite the ban on most rallies because of the coronavirus, some three hundred demonstrators in Hong Kong demonstrated Sunday for more democracy and less influence from China. It was the first protest in Hong Kong since the ban was introduced in March.
The protesters gathered in a shopping center and sang various slogans. Among other things, they called for “liberating Hong Kong.” The release of several previously arrested activists was also demanded.
Riot police with shields dispersed the group. To further break down the protest, the police have closed several parts of the shopping center. This forced some stores to close their doors. Visitors to the shopping center were told to go home.
Sunday’s protest was the first protest since late March, when the government banned meetings of more than four people for the COVID-19 virus.
Increased tension between China and Hong Kong
The protest follows after political tensions between Hong Kong and China have escalated in the past two weeks. Fifteen activists were arrested earlier this month. The central government in the Chinese capital Beijing has said that it supports the arrests.
The past year saw protests almost daily in Hong Kong for months, partly because of Beijing’s influence in Hong Kong. These protests led to many confrontations between the demonstrators and the police. Thousands of protesters have so far been arrested during the protests.
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