Hong Kong protesters use masquerade as new protest tactic

Winnie Pooh, Guy Fawkes, Pepe Frog — se are new faces of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy protest movement. Demonstrators masquered on Friday night as ir favorite characters in defiance of government’s ban this month on face coverings at public garings.

Protesters in semi-automous Chinese city took a humorous approach to draw attention to ir cause as y try to keep up pressure on government five months since movement erupted. Many assumed identity of Winnie Pooh, because Chinese internet users joke that talking bear resembles President Xi Jinping. 

Ors wore Guy Fawkes masks, a global symbol of anti-government protests. Some became Pepe Frog, a character opted by Hong Kong protesters unaware of its association with U.S. far-right extremists. Chinese internet users have joked that Chinese President Xi Jinping resembles talking bear, leing country’s censors to scrub online references to character. Fawkes masks have come to represent anti-government protests around world.

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protesters were taking a ligharted approach to opposing government’s decision this month to invoke colonial-era emergency regulations banning face masks at rallies as it struggles to contain chaotic protest movement. Hong Kong’s leer has said ban on masks, which have become a hallmark of protests, is aimed at deterring rical behaviour.

But protesters say y wear m out of fear of retribution and concern that ir identities will be shared with China’s massive state security apparatus. Some protesters out Friday assumed identity of Xi or Hong Kong’s deeply unpopular Beijing-backed leer, Chief Executive Carrie Lam. Ors wore masks depicting Pepe Frog, a character that has become a symbol for Hong Kong protesters unaware of its association with far-right extremists in U.S.

Hong Kong protests 

Later Saturday, supporters waving U.S. and British flags held a prayer rally to call for outside help for ir cause. protest march is planned for Sunday, with organizers vowing to hold event even though it failed to win approval from police, who cited risks to public order.

Protesters are trying to keep pressure on government to respond to ir demands, including full democracy and an independent inquiry into alleged police brutality. y're also using Sunday's rally to raise a more recent demand for government to scrap a ban installed this month on face masks at public garings. Organisers said demonstrators would defy police because Hong Kong's constitution guarantees right to protest.

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(With ncy inputs)