HONG KONG -- Tens of thousands of anti-government protesters began marching in Hong Kong on New Year's Day, demanding concessions from the city's embattled government as the civil unrest that convulse
HONG KONG -- Tens of thousands of anti-government protesters began marching in Hong Kong on New Year's Day, demanding concessions from the city's embattled government as the civil unrest that convulsed the Chinese-ruled city for over half a year spills into 2020.
"Unless the five demands are achieved, and police are held accountable for their brutality, then we can't have a real happy new year," he added, referring to the push for concessions from the government including full democracy, an amnesty for the over 6,500 people arrested so far, and a powerful, independent investigation into police actions.
"The government has already started the oppression before the New Year began ... whoever is being oppressed, we will stand with them," said Jimmy Sham, one of the leaders of the Civil Human Rights Front. Many people in Hong Kong are angered by Beijing's tight grip on the city which was promised a high degree of autonomy under this framework when the former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997.A group of 40 parliamentarians and dignitaries from 18 countries had written an open letter to Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam on New Year's Eve, urging her to "seek genuine ways forward out of this crisis by addressing the grievances of Hong Kong people.
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
'Persist in 2020': Hong Kong gears up for New Year countdown unrest
Read more »
Police fire tear gas as Hong Kong rings in New Year
Read more »
Festive cheer in short supply as Hong Kong activists stage New Year protests
Read more »
Police fire tear gas as Hong Kong rings in New Year(UPDATED) Hong Kong police retaliate after protesters in the Mong Kong district set fire to barricades just after midnight
Read more »
Hong Kong readies for New Year democracy rally – The Manila TimesPro-democracy protesters and revellers gather in Hong Kong to welcome in 2020. AFP PHOTO
Read more »
Hong Kong protesters carry political demands into 2020
Read more »