Thousands of protesters have begun marching in Hong Kong on New Year’s Day.
Anti-government protests are in progress as the protesters are asking for concessions from the embattled government of the city.
People of different stages were gathered on a grass lawn in Victoria Park, several wearing black dresses and masks. They were also carrying slogans such as “Freedom is not free” before setting off.
One of the protestors named Tung said “It’s hard to utter ‘Happy New Year’ because Hong Kong people are not happy,”
“Unless the five demands are achieved, and police are held accountable for their brutality, then we can’t have a real happy new year,”
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He also demanded concessions from the government including full democracy, an amnesty for the over 6,500 people arrested and independent investigations of police activities.
Civil Human Rights Front is organizing the pro-democracy march.
A group of newly elected pro-democracy district politicians have also supported and joined the group to help the protestors in their campaign.
One of the leaders of Civil Human Rights Front Jimmy Sham has said, “The government has already started the oppression before the New Year began […] whoever is being oppressed, we will stand with him.”
