Protesters Ask US for Help in Red, White and Blue Rally

Clashes follow peaceful march in Hong Kong
By Bob Cronin,  Newser Staff
Posted Sep 8, 2019 10:15 AM CDT
Clashes Follow Pleas for US Intervention in Hong Kong
Riot police chase members of the media away Sunday in Hong Kong.   (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

The standoff in Hong Kong between pro-democracy demonstrators and police took a confrontational turn Sunday afternoon, after a peaceful march pleading for US intervention. Police made arrests at the city's Central subway station before protesters blocked an exit and set their barricade on fire, CNN reports. Windows were smashed at other exits. Another station was vandalized as commuters used it. Police tackled protesters and made arrests at stations and other places in the city. In a busy shopping district, per the Wall Street Journal, officers held a sign announcing that anyone in the area was breaking the law. Police had people line up against a wall with their hands behind their backs. Tear gas was used on demonstrators. Joshua Wong, a leader of the movement, was arrested at the airport, apparently on a possible bail violation. A representative said he expects Wong to be freed Monday.

The events began with tens of thousands of people marching peacefully through the streets to the US Consulate. Red, white and blue signs implored President Trump to "Liberate Hong Kong," per the Washington Post, and demonstrators sang "The Star-Spangled Banner." They also chanted, "Free Hong Kong, pass the act!" — legislation in Congress penalize Hong Kong or Chinese officials for suppressing basic freedoms there. One man wearing a Trump 2020 cap at the rally and holding a US flag, called for universal suffrage in the city. He said that Carrie Lam, Hong Kong's leader, should take steps to protect the territory's autonomy. "I don’t think she is willing to do that," Joe Lau said. "But I think the US government has the ability to force the Hong Kong government to do that." (Lam withdrew the extradition bill that started it all.)

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