Hong Kong: Hong Kong protesters ignored police warnings and streamed past the designated endpoint for a rally on Saturday in the latest of a series of demonstrations targeting the government of the semi-autonomous Chinese territory.
“Strike on Monday!” the protesters shouted as they filled the roads in a usually bustling market district, referring to demonstrators’ calls for a citywide shutdown.
Shop owners shuttered their storefronts in anticipation of a prolonged demonstration.
The street along the route was completely fill-ed with protesters, while other roads were reduced to single lanes. One black-clad protester directed traffic for a line of taxis attempting to get through.
Some passing drivers honked their horns and yelled words of encouragement, eliciting cheers from the crowd.
Police warned earlier in the day that those who continued past the pre-approved route would be breaking the law.
They called on protesters to stick to designated routes and times after violent clashes marred previous rallies in the summer-long protest movement.
Police held a briefing on Saturday ahead of the scheduled rally in Mong Kok, a bustling shopping district with a history of hosting pro-democracy protests.
Any demonstrations that are not pre-approved will be “cleared out” as unlawful assemblies, police said. A 44-year-old non-profit worker surnamed Wai said he was worried about protesters’ safety because violent incidents have often occu-rred after marches draw to a close.
“Some things have gone too far,” Wai said. “Hong Kong’s future belongs to all of us. We need to keep it safe.”
The summer-long prot-ests began in opposition to a contentious extradition Bill, but have continued despite the government’s decision to suspend the legislation that would have sent some suspects to mainland China for trial.
While the rallies were largely peaceful, they have increasingly devolved into skirmishes with police.
