Hong Kong protests: Demonstrators defy ban on march

2019-08-31 10:44:01

Thousands of protesters have marched through the centre of Hong Kong, defying a police ban. Police used tear gas and water cannon to disperse the crowds. Protesters lit fires and attacked the Legislative Council building. Officials had banned an event to mark five years since Beijing ruled out fully democratic elections. The protests happen a day after several prominent pro-democracy activists and lawmakers were arrested. The protest movement grew out of rallies against a controversial extradition bill - now suspended - which would have allowed criminal suspects to be sent to mainland China for trial. It has since become a broader pro-democracy movement in which clashes have grown more violent.