HONG KONG (AP) — Hong Kong protesters held their first “People’s Press Conference” on Tuesday to condemn what they described as “empty rhetoric” of government and cases of alleged police abuses. The three disgruntled people who spoke to reporters said the arraignment sought to counter those routinely performed by the government and police, in which the authorities regularly reported the violent acts committed by some protesters pro-democracy.
Some police officers showed a “lack of total self-discipline,” said an activist who identified under the pseudonym Jerry Chan, adding that tear gas was thrown at residential buildings on Monday in clashes in several districts. HELP Us Click the Google News star and follow usMany of the participants in the demonstrations chose to hide their identity for fear of reprisals. Since June, Hong Kong has experienced a series of demonstrations that began as a protest against an extradition bill that would allow some suspects to be taken to mainland China for trial. Although the semi-autonomous government suspended the initiative, the dishostiles maintained the pressure and called for democratic reforms, an investigation into allegations of police brutality and the resignation of the chief executive, Carrie Lam.Hong Kong, a Former British colony, it was returned to China in 1997 under the plan “one country, two systems”, which gave the city certain democratic freedoms that the Communist Party does not allow in the rest of the territory. But some residents see Beijing as increasingly invading their freedoms. At their press conference, protesters apologized for the problems caused in Monday’s general strike that halted the normal functioning of the city. Major public roads were blocked and at least 77 flights were cancelled. Protesters clashed with security forces in at least eight districts on Monday, responding to ongoing rounds of tear gas with speed tested. Some set fire to the outside of police stations and threw bricks and eggs at the officers. Statements by Chinese authorities and an advertising video for their troops stationed in Hong Kong fueled speculation about a possible mobilization of the army to quell the protests. Chan said Tuesday that he hopes that residents of the territory will calmly consider their response to possible military intervention.” I think the protesters and the citizens of Hong Kong will ‘flow like water’ and know what to do,” he said, referring to the movement’s philosophy in its protests. On the other hand, spokesman for the Chinese government’s Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, Yang Guang, said Tuesday that the punishment of those responsible for the protests was “only a matter of time.” These statements suggest that Beijing will take a severe stance towards protests and does not intend to open a dialogue on demands for political reforms.
