Tens of thousands of people gathered in a Hong Kong public park Saturday night to mourn a student who died during recent clashes, while police stopped a group of lawmakers in favor of promoting democracy, exacerbating the crisis. Political in the city.
The global financial center has been witnessing mass protests for nearly five months, demanding the consolidation of democracy and violence, but Beijing has refused to comply with most of the demands of the protest movement.
Tensions have risen since Alex Chao, 22, died of head injuries from falling to the ground during clashes between police and demonstrators last week.
The latest demonstration is part of protests that have been going on for 24 consecutive weekend, the most severe protest against Beijing authorities in the region since the former British colony returned to China´s sovereignty.
"I demand an independent investigation because it proves that Hong Kong remains a place where the rule of law is respected," a 35-year-old woman told AFP, echoing a fundamental demand by the movement to open an investigation into police behavior.
The demonstrator, who said she moved to Hong Kong from mainland China three years ago, said she also wanted hardline protesters to adopt less invasive tactics.
"I think nonviolent moves can win," she said.
The demonstration comes after the police charged at least seven deputies who face, if convicted, imprisonment for up to one year.
Three of them were arrested at night and three attended a Saturday night building for a summons, while one refused to appear.
The charges are linked to scenes of chaos in a parliamentary committee session in May, during which pro-democracy lawmakers tried to block the passage of a controversial bill that would allow the deportation of wanted men to mainland China.
The protesters are demanding an independent investigation into the police´s handling of the protests, a general amnesty for more than 2,500 detainees and a free and fair general election, demands rejected by Beijing and Hong Kong Chief Executive Kare Lam.
The wave of demonstrations in the city began from opposition to a bill allowing the extradition of wanted persons to China. But although the bill has been canceled, the protests have not stopped, but its demands for democracy and police accountability have been raised.
