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Protesters form human chains for New Year in Hong Kong


Demonstrators in Hong Kong, Tuesday December 31.
Demonstrators in Hong Kong, Tuesday December 31. TYRONE SIU / REUTERS

Glory to Hong Kong, the anthem of the protest, resounded again in the streets of the megalopolis, Tuesday, December 31. To celebrate the transition to the New Year, thousands of pro-democracy protesters formed long human chains. “In 2020, there is no question of giving up the battle”, could be read on thousands of posters.

Faced with this new rally, the police used water cannons to disperse small crowds of protesters, particularly in the district of Mong Kok. Arrests also took place in the area near Prince Edward, where protesters held a candlelight vigil. Other rallies are still planned overnight in different parts of the city.

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“Listen humbly”

International financial center, the former British colony has experienced its most serious crisis since June since its handover to Beijing in 1997. The challenge to obtain democratic reforms has resulted in peaceful marches bringing together millions of people, but also violent clashes between police and demonstrators, the former firing tear gas and rubber bullets, the latter launching Molotov cocktails.

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In a video message posted on Facebook, local executive chief Carrie Lam said she counted “Listen humbly to find a way out”, without mentioning the demands of the demonstrators. The latter intend to maintain pressure on the government, by organizing a new large-scale demonstration on Wednesday 1st January.

Slight lull

“Thanks to 2019, the horrible masks of the police and the government have been ripped off and people have been able to see the truth”, said Kris, a protester who participated in human chains. “The movement is in a kind of dead end now. A strong participation in the march of tomorrow could rekindle the flame, we hope. “

On November 24, the pro-democracy camp had won local elections hands down perceived as a referendum on the management of the crisis by the local government supported by Beijing. The protest has since seen a lull with sporadic clashes.

Police have arrested some 6,500 people since June, nearly a third of them under the age of 20. Originally prompted by a plan to authorize extraditions to mainland China, which has since been abandoned, the protest then widened to denounce Beijing’s control.

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