Dozens of Hongkongers sat patiently folding hundreds of brightly coloured paper cranes on Sunday, all in support of the ongoing protest movement.

Photo: May James/HKFP.

The origami birds filled Times Square in Causeway Bay, as police and protesters fought dramatic street battles across Hong Kong Island.

Photo: May James/HKFP.

Throughout the stunt, participants chanted protest slogans such as “liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our time” and “five demands, not one less.”

Photo: May James/HKFP.

Protesters came up with the idea online last week. They call the birds “Freenix” – a reference to phoenix.

The idea was also widely shared on Twitter under the hashtag #birdgoldingchallenge.

Photo: May James/HKFP.

Folded cranes are often seen as a symbol of peace and hope.

Photo: May James/HKFP.

In Japanese culture, a wish can be granted to those who fold a thousand of them.

Photo: May James/HKFP.

Demonstrations in Hong Kong have entered their 17th week, as the city marks five years since the birth of the pro-democracy Umbrella Movement this weekend.

Photo: May James/HKFP.

Since June, large-scale peaceful protests against a bill that would have enabled extraditions to China have evolved into sometimes violent displays of dissent over Beijing’s encroachment, democracy and alleged police brutality.

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