HK democracy activists defy police in standoff
HONG
KONG (AP) — Hundreds of Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters were locked
in a tense standoff with police who warned Sunday they would crack down
on a mass sit-in outside government headquarters to demand Beijing grant
genuine democratic reforms for the former British colony.
Students
and activists have been camped out on the streets outside the
government complex all weekend. Students started the rally but by early
Sunday leaders of the broader Occupy Central civil movement said they
were joining them to kickstart a long-threatened mass sit-in.
Demonstrators
barricaded themselves inside the protest zone using metal crowd control
barriers originally brought in by authorities. They donned protective
gear in case police use pepper spray, wrapping their faces and arms with
plastic wrap and wearing cheap plastic raincoats, goggles and surgical
masks.
The protesters reject
Beijing's recent decision to restrict voting reforms for the first-ever
elections to choose the city's leader in 2017.
Police
warned those involved in what they call an illegal gathering to leave
the scene as soon possible or else they would start clearing the area
and making arrests.
Police
said they have arrested 78 people since demonstrations started late
Friday. They warned people to stay away for their own safety.
Organizers said police took away several pro-democracy legislators.
Among the protesters was media magnate Jimmy Lai, who owns the popular Apple Daily, Hong Kong's sole pro-democracy newspaper.
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