Story highlights Protesters march in support of jailed pro-democracy leaders

Tens of thousands took to the streets to protest what they see as politically-motivated punishment

Hong Kong (CNN) Tens of thousands of people braved blazing summer heat Sunday to join a march in Hong Kong protesting the jailing of three pro-democracy leaders for their involvement in the 2014 "Umbrella Movement."

Last week a Hong Kong court sentenced Joshua Wong, Nathan Law and Alex Chow -- three young organizers of the protests that rocked Hong Kong three years ago -- to jail terms ranging from six to eight months.

They were convicted of unlawful assembly after they stormed government property in September 2014, leading to the 79-day sit-in of major roads in the heart of the city's financial district.

On Sunday, demonstrators walked from the district of Wan Chai to the Court of Final Appeal, where the three activists are expected to lodge an appeal against their sentences.

Police told CNN the number of protesters during the peak period Sunday was about 22,000. While the protest organizers did not provide their own count, activist Agnes Chow told CNN it was the biggest protest since the 2014 Occupy movement.

Read More