Thousands rallied in over 40 cities around the world over the weekend in opposition to totalitarianism, and in solidarity with protesters in Hong Kong who also took to the streets en masse. Events were held in the US, UK, Australia, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Norway, South Korea, Taiwan, and other places.
Protesters in Hong Kong initiated a global call to arms in response to growing encroachment from the Chinese Communist Party. Earlier versions of the event referred to the regime as “Chinazi” but the slogan was later changed amid controversy over the comparisons.
In Hong Kong, demonstrators displayed dozens of national flags of multiple countries, bearing a banner that read: “Warning! Democracy and human rights under attack!” Riot police and protesters clashed later in the day, with officers using tear gas, pepper spray and water cannon and demonstrators throwing Molotov cocktails and bricks.
Demonstrations in Hong Kong have entered their 17th week, as the city marked five years since the birth of the pro-democracy Umbrella Movement this weekend. 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.
Washington DC, USA
New York City, USA
Paris, France
Tokyo, Japan
Oslo, Norway
Berlin, Germany
Frankfurt, Germany
Sydney, Australia
Melbourne, Australia
Auckland, New Zealand
Calgary, Canada
Osaka, Japan
Milan, Italy
Tallinn, Estonia
Wellington, New Zealand
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