Protesters Rally in Hong Kong to Condemn Riots

Date: 17 August 2019 - 21:53

News ID: ۶۹۴۱۵

HONG KONG (Dispatches) -- Protesters kicked off a weekend of fresh rallies on Saturday in a major test for the movement following criticism over an airport protest earlier this week.
The fresh unrest came as thousands of protesters -- many waving Chinese flags -- gathered in a park to condemn riots and support the police.
Ten weeks of riots have plunged the international finance hub into crisis, with mainland China warning of action, including against "terrorist-like" behavior.
On Tuesday, rioters blocked passengers from boarding flights at the city's airport and later assaulted two men they accused of being Chinese spies.
Pictures and videos of the violent attacks triggered a chorus of condemnation.
Military personnel and armored personnel carriers were deployed across the border in Shenzhen, with the United States wading into the issue to warn Beijing against sending in troops.
At the pro-Beijing rally, where a giant screen showed recent clashes with police, 60-year-old retiree Irene Man rounded on rioters.
"Their acts are not human, they have all become monsters. They are rioters, with no reason, no thinking," she said.
As evening fell, some hardcore rioters were facing off with police in the district of Mongkok, where multiple clashes have taken place in recent weeks. They blocked roads and shone laser pens at riot police who made occasional charges but the protesters kept dispersing and reforming.
The protests were sparked by opposition to a plan to allow extraditions to the mainland, but have since morphed into unruly riots.
Battles between police firing tear gas and rubber bullets -- and hardcore rioters using rocks, Molotov cocktails and slingshots -- have since become routine in an international finance hub once renowned for stability.
On Friday, Cathay Pacific announced the shock resignation of CEO Rupert Hogg after the carrier was excoriated by Beijing because some staff supported the riots.
On Saturday, the "Big Four" accountancy firms scrambled to distance themselves from an advert placed in a newspaper purportedly by employees saying they supported the protests.
Deloitte and PwC posted statements on their websites saying the ad does not represent their positions and expressing opposition to violent or illegal behavior.
In statements quoted by Chinese state news agency Xinhua, KPMG and EY also expressed opposition to violence and illegal acts.