Hundreds rally in Australia to support pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong

Books Sunday 18/August/2019 15:07 PM
By: Times News Service
Hundreds rally in Australia to support pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong

Sydney: Hundreds of people participated in a rally in Sydney in support of Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters that have been raging for over two months, despite warnings from Beijing for foreign governments and protesters to stay clear of the issue.

Over 500 people gathered at Sydney’s Belmore Park on Sunday afternoon, while Hong Kong braced for hundreds of thousands to rally in the central business district.

More than two months of protests have seen violent escalations including brutal crackdowns by police who are now frequently deploying teargas and using batons against protesters.

Placards in Sydney leaned heavily on concerns over police brutality, with many referencing the first-aid volunteer who was hit in the eye with a rubber bullet fired by Hong Kong police.

One speaker who recently returned from the Hong Kong protests said they were fighting for their “future, for democracy, and for the things we used to have” before the 1997 hand-back of Hong Kong to China.

“Many Hong Kongers have bled for such values as we have here in Australia today,” he said.

The protest came just a day after China sent a warning to protesters and foreign governments about getting involved in the Hong Kong situation, saying “any attempt to mess up Hong Kong is doomed to fail”.

The Chinese Ambassador to Australia, Cheng Jingye, said protesters in Hong Kong had exhibited “radical, violent and illegal behaviours” which had “grossly trampled on the rule of law” and threatened lives and Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability.

“No responsible government would sit idly by,” he said. “Hong Kong affairs are solely the internal affairs of China.”