Mass rally by students raises pressure on govt

Mass rally by students raises pressure on govt

University students and some secondary school pupils from across Hong Kong held a mass rally at Chinese University on Monday, to demand the government accept the demands of anti-extradition bill protesters, increasing pressure on the embattled Carrie Lam administration.



Tens of thousands joined the event with many students boycotting class as the universities and schools reopened after the summer break. They gave the government two weeks to respond, saying they will escalate their actions if there is no response.



Organisers estimated 30,000 had turned out on Monday, compared to 13,000 for a 2014 rally at the university before the Umbrella Movement.



The latest rally was similar to the event five years ago when thousands of students gathered at the same venue. That eventually led to the 79-day Occupy Central protests for universal suffrage.



As another generation of students gathered, the noticeable difference was that more were wearing face masks this time. But their chants were were not muted, as they asked the authorities to accept the five demands raised by anti-extradition bill campaigners.



Some students handed out free food and drinks while one group gave out packs containing protective gear meant for frontline protesters.



CUHK political scholar, Ma Ngok, was there to express his support for students.



“I’m not supporting [violence protests]. This is a very peaceful means of expression, the government should listen to their demands,” Ma said.



One girl from City University said the protesters cannot afford to lose this time. She said she feared if they do, Hong Kong could become like Xinjiang, where the central government has implemented a severe clampdown, including camps for millions.



A law student, who refused to be named, said he joined the rally in full protective gear to remind people that protesters on the streets are putting their lives on the line.



Some others said they had their protective gear on because they feared that police could even storm the campus without warning. “We have to protect ourselves just in case,” one of the group in full gear said.



Among the participants, there were also people from different walks of life. A mother, who was not a former student of the university, brought her two-year-old daughter to the rally.



“We’re peaceful. We don’t have any violence at all. I want to show my daughter how her older brothers and sisters are doing something for her future,” she said.