Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement faces a major test this weekend as it tries to muster another huge crowd following criticism over a recent violent airport protest and as concerns mount over Beijing's next move.
Ten weeks of protests have plunged the international finance hub into crisis with the communist mainland taking an increasingly hardline tone, including labelling the more violent protester actions “terrorist-like”.
Hong Kong activists are now planning to hold a major rally on Sunday, which is being billed as a “rational, non-violent” protest designed to show the movement still maintains broad public support after suffering a setback earlier in the week.
A protester shows a placard to stranded travellers during a demonstration at the Airport in Hong Kong on Aug 13, 2019. — AP
A pro-democracy protester holds a placard during another demonstration at Hong Kong's international airport. — AFP
A tourist gives her luggage to security guards as she tries to make her way to the departures gate at Hong Kong's international airport. — AFP
In this Aug 5, 2019, photo, protesters wearing black shirt (R) fight with a group of men wielding wooden poles on a street during the anti-extradition bill protest at a neighbourhood in Hong Kong. — AP
In this Aug 14, 2019, photo, protesters react to tear gas from Shum Shui Po police station in Hong Kong. — AP
Travellers look at placards and posters placed by protesters at the airport in Hong Kong on Aug 14, 2019. — AP
Police advance through the Sham Shui Po neighbourhood during clashes with anti-extradition bill protesters in Hong Kong on Aug 14, 2019. — Reuters
Chinese soldiers eat on the grounds of the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center in Shenzhen across the bay from Hong Kong on Aug 15, 2019. — Reuters
Police detain a girl during a confrontation in Hong Kong on Aug 10, 2019. — AP
A traveller takes a photo near placards and posters placed by protesters at the airport in Hong Kong on Aug 14, 2019. — AP
In this Aug 11, 2019, photo, policemen charge towards protesters during the anti-extradition bill protest at Tsim Sha Tsui in Hong Kong. — AP
Chinese soldiers walk in formation on the grounds of the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center in Shenzhen across the bay from Hong Kong on Aug 15, 2019. — Reuters
In this Aug 4, 2019, photo, people gather at Belcher Bay Park as they take part in an anti-extradition bill protest in Western district in Hong Kong. — AP
A protester is overcome by tear gas near the Shum Shui Po police station in Hong Kong on Aug 14, 2019. — AP
French urban climber Alain Robert climbs the Cheung Kong Center building in Hong Kong on Aug 16, 2019. — Reuters
Header image: A protester holds up a sign during a demonstration by pro-democracy activists at Hong Kong's international airport. — AP
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