Hong Kong protests and Police crackdown

[DriedMangoes]

"What's going on in Hong Kong right now is a very big deal, and for reasons that go way beyond just this weekend's protests. Hong Kong's citizens are protesting to keep their promised democratic rights, which they worry — with good reason — could be taken away by the central Chinese government in Beijing. This moment is a sort of standoff between Hong Kong and China over the city's future, a confrontation that they have been building toward for almost 20 years."

There's even a tear gas video in the third link.

http://www.vox.com/2014/9/28/6856621/hong-kong-protests-clashes-china-explainer

http://www.vox.com/2014/9/28/6856663/hong-kong-democracy-protests-photos

http://www.vox.com/2014/9/28/686089...ke-to-be-in-the-middle-of-hong-kongs-protests

1) Demonstrators are protesting China's plan for Hong Kong's 2017 elections
The elections will be less democratic than Beijing had earlier promised. On September 24, the student-led pro-democracy protesters moved to Hong Kong's financial district, Central.

(Xaume Olleros / AFP / Getty)

2) On Friday, protesters moved into the areas just outside of some government offices
The protesters are led by a group called Occupy Central. Here they are on Saturday facing off with police near Government House, the official residence of Hong Kong's chief executive.

(Lam Yik Fei / Getty Images News)

3) This led to clashes with police

(Xaume Olleros / AFP / Getty)

4) Protests grew; thousands filled the streets in Central this weekend

(Lam Yik Fei / Getty Images)

5) Protests have shut down much of the city
This has led to concerns (or hopes) that it may disrupt the financial district so important to Hong Kong's economy once markets open on Monday.

(Anthony Kwan/Getty)

6) On Sunday, police fired tear gas
This was a major and highly unusual escalation in a city where peaceful protest is common.

(Aaron Tam / AFP / Getty)

7) A defiant protester stands amid a huge cloud of tear gas

(Xaume Olleros / AFP / Getty)

A demonstrator has water poured on his face to try to ease the burning

(Xaume Olleros / AFP / Getty)

9) Armed riot police tried to secure government buildings
They give the streets an eerie sense of military occupation.

(Anthony Kwan/Getty)

10)Thousands of students remained on the streets Sunday night
It's not clear what will happen next.

 

[Kassen]

I wonder what exactly is China's current system for the elections of officers. It must be a big deal if this is how it's going down. It could be that they are like France and make a big deal out of everything , but I don't think this is the case here.