AP, HONG KONGThousands of people yesterday gathered for a rally in downtown Hong Kong, belting out songs, speeches and slogans to mark the fifth anniversary of the start of the 2014 “Umbrella movement” that called for democratic reforms in the semi-autonomous Chinese territory. Demonstrators unfurled a big banner that read “We are back” on a footbridge to the government office. Just before yesterday’s rally started, a small group of black-clad protesters wearing goggles and masks attempted to scale barricades outside the government offices, prompting riot police behind the barriers to fire pepper spray. “If they disqualify me, it will just generate more and more momentum ... they will pay the price,” he said. Wong is out on bail after he was rearrested with several other people last month and charged with organizing an illegal rally.

Source: Taipei Times September 28, 2019 15:56 UTC