Pro-democracy protesters block a main junction at Hong Kong’s shopping Mongkok district, Oct. 4, 2014.
Last updated on: October 04, 2014 1:28 PM
HONG KONG—Pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong staged a massive rally Saturday evening in the downtown business district they’ve occupied for a week, defying attacks by opponents and warnings by the territory’s government to clear the streets by Monday morning.
The rally lasted for hours, as tens of thousands of participants clapped and cheered while a stream of speakers and singers addressed them and performed popular songs.
They gathered at the main protest site outside government headquarters after Hong Kong’s chief executive, Leung Chun-ying, said earlier Saturday that “all actions necessary” would be taken so that workers could return to their jobs next week.
Saturday’s announcement follows a second day of ugly confrontations between protesters and residents tired of the disruptions to their work and lives.
Throughout the day individuals or small groups of angry residents tried to instigate confrontations with the activists blocking roads and occupying major business districts.
One man yelled in Cantonese that while the protesters may say they want democracy, what they are doing is making the city chaotic.
Many residents are tired of the disruptions. Miranda Liu said she came to shop and got hit by protesters pushing a cart.
“And then they said we were disturbing them. Is this a peaceful place that you use your cart to hit me and then [insult] me?”
Pro democracy activists like Eric Cheung said they won’t respond to violence with more violence.
“We want to show we are innocent so we raise our hands, that’s it. We didn’t do anything. We just stand here peacefully. We want to show our wants [intent] to the government, that’s it.”
Arrests, injuries
Hong Kong police arrested 19 people overnight in connection to the clashes, which are reported to have injured at least 18 people, including several police officers.
Security forces tried to maintain calm, breaking up fights and escorting the aggressive parties away from the crowds. Police officials said Friday they detained nine men with connections to the Triad crime gangs that were involved in attacks on the mostly student protesters.
