The first of two protests planned for Sunday has kicked off after a night of violent demonstrations. China's official news agency has warned that Beijing will not let the situation in the former British colony continue.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/P. Fong
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Hong Kong rallies continue
02:18
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Hong Kong riot police fired tear gas at pro-democracy protesters on Sunday evening during a second consecutive night of clashes between demonstrators and authorities. Police said they had arrested 20 people for unlawful assembly and assault during the previous night's protests.
Two planned rallies got underway on Sunday afternoon in separate areas of Hong Kong ahead of a general strike expected to take place on Monday. Protesters used what appeared to be a long, homemade slingshot to hurl rocks, bricks and other objects towards windows at a police station.
Recent protests have started to turn violent, with police taking bolder actions to disperse protesters, including firing rubber bullets and arresting dozens of participants.
Thousands of demonstrators dressed in black on Sunday marched peacefully in the town of Tseung Kwan O brandishing colorful banners and leaflets.
"We're trying to tell the government to [withdraw] the extradition bill and to police to stop the investigations and the violence," said technology student Gabriel Lee.
Reward offered for information about 'insane' protester
During Saturday's protests, several people scaled a flag pole, removed a Chinese flag and threw it into the iconic Victoria Harbour. Hong Kong's former leader CY Leung has offered 1 million Hong Kong dollars ($127,720, €114,970) for information about those involved.
Leung said that the act will provoke "enormous resentment from the entire nation." He pledged the cash award to anyone who provides clues about the "insane person" behind it.
Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets of Hong Kong to demand lawmakers withdraw a controversial bill. The new law would allow the extradition of suspected criminals to mainland China.
Image: Reuters/H. Hanschke
Defiance
Despite official calls to disperse, demonstrators continued to march on Wednesday. They overturned police barriers and stood their ground even when confronted with pepper spray and a threat by police to use force if they continued to oppose their orders.
Image: Reuters/A. Perawongmetha
Homage
Some protesters left umbrellas on the police barricades, an homage to the "Occupy Democracy" movement that began in 2014. The massive, months-long campaign was prompted by constitutional reforms that allowed Beijing to approve candidates for Hong Kong elections.
Image: Reuters/T. Peter
One million strong
Organizers say that over 1 million people have joined in the demonstrations, which blocked two main highways near government headquarters on Wednesday. Most of the protesters are students and young people. Students were boycotting classes to attend the rallies.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/A. Wallace
A question of autonomy and rights
Activists have decried the move to allow extradition to China, because of Beijing's poor human rights and legal record. Many in Hong Kong are also upset by the creeping authoritarianism in the city, after they were promised autonomy when the territory was given back to China from the UK in 1997.
Image: Getty Images/A. Kwan
Out in force
Thousands of officers, including riot police, have been deployed throughout the city. Over the weekend, demonstrators hurled bottles at security forces and tried to push their way into the parliament building, but were blocked.
Image: Reuters/T. Siu
One country, two systems
China has long promised Hong Kong self-rule under the "one country, two systems" motto. But for those in the sprawling city, the extradition bill is the latest in a long line of examples of creeping Chinese control.