Ashley Wells, Pat Macpherson, Wisdom Quarterly; Aaron Mate, Amy Goodman, Carrie Lam (democracynow.org, 10-1-14)
.
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| HK's Occupy Central: Chinese democracy! |
The new round of demonstrations began last week when
thousands of college students launched a boycott to oppose China’s
rejection of free elections in 2017. The protesters want an open vote,
but China’s plan would only allow candidates approved by the capital of Beijing.
 |
| HK occupies its financial district |
After a
three-day sit-in, police became violent using tear gas and pepper spray to oppose the
crowds. But that only fueled a public outcry, which brought even more
into the streets, with estimates reaching up to 200,000 people. Demonstration
leaders have vowed to remain until the resignation of Hong Kong city
leader, Leung Chun-ying, and a free and open vote for his successor.
Originally
organized by the group "Occupy Central," the protests have been dubbed
Umbrella Revolution, for the umbrellas demonstrators have used to protect themselves from
pepper spray and tear gas.
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| Chinese empire now includes Hong Kong |
The police crackdown is the harshest since China retook
control of Hong Kong in 1997 after 150 years of British-capitalist rule. The
crackdown is being felt in mainland China, where the nominally communist government has
blocked the mobile photo-sharing app Instagram and heavily censored
references to Hong Kong on social media.
Democracy Now! is joined from Hong Kong by
journalist Tom Gundy, who has been covering the demonstrations.
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