Published 07:53 IST, September 14th 2019

Hong Kong protestors light up hills, continue protests during festival

On the eve of the mid-autumn festival in China on Friday, thousands of pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong armed with torches showed solidarity with protesters

Reported by: Pritesh Kamath
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On  Friday evening that marked start of mid-autumn festival in China, thousands of pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong were seen in an eye-catching protest using torch, flashlights, lanterns and laser pens to light up two of city’s well-kwn hillsides, to commemorate  annual festival. Thousands of activists with torches on ir hes hiked ir way uphill trails throughout evening leing to top of Lion Rock, which overlooks sprawling skyscrapers of city's Kowloon district which is one of most densely populated places on earth.

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Importance of Mid-Autumn Festival

Mid-autumn festival is an important event of Chinese calendar year which is a time of thanksgiving, praying for good fortune and spending time with family and loved ones. But as Hong Kong suffers political unrest from three months, protesters used occasion as an opportunity to intensify ir protests. 

activists gared to form a long human chain on  Peak which is a popular tourist spot which offers picturesque views of Hong Kong and its waterfront. 

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Two of protesting groups, whose lights were visible to each or across harbour, chanted slogans and sang "Glory to Hong Kong", a protest anm penned by an anymous composer which has gone viral in recent days. While or protesters assembled in parks, shining ir mobile phone lights, lasers and lanterns. 

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Brief history of Hong Kong, and its protest

Hong Kong was a British colony until 1997 when colonizer handed over region to China, but region was allowed to maintain its automy for fifty years. But democratic activists accuse Chinese government of tampering and manipulating its political control and sabotaging Hong Kong’s semi-automy.  

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In recent days, pro-Beijing supporters have also held impromptu garings to sing China’s national anm as a response to pro-democracy activists, leing to scuffles between two sides. 

Beijing doesn’t seem to be ceding to demands of protesters r protesters show any signs of ir movement abating. Plans by demonstrators to hold rallies on Saturday and Sunday have been rejected by police. But previous bans have simply been igred by masses escalating to clashes with police. 

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06:28 IST, September 14th 2019