AL JAZEERA
http://youtu.be/07kg1OzoNkY
Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters have turned parts of Hong Kong into a massive street party on Monday night, with the mood turning festive just a day after riot police had deployed tear gas.
The huge crowds defied government calls to go home after Sunday’s chaotic scenes, bringing key districts of the Asian financial hub to a standstill, as they vowed to stay put until the Chinese government grants them free elections.
Sunday’s violence saw riot police fire clouds of tear gas as they struggled to control the protesters, in one of the biggest challenges to Beijing’s rule of the semi-autonomous city.
The anger gave way to a lighter atmosphere on Monday night as riot police retreated, leaving huge masses of protesters in control of at least four major thoroughfares around the city.
Although there were few police on the scene, some protesters feared a repeat of Sunday’s clashes, donning goggles and masks to protect themselves against tear gas.
The demonstrators are furious over last month’s announcement by Beijing that while it will allow the city’s next leader to be elected in 2017, it will insist on picking the candidates, with critics branding the move a “fake democracy”.
Al Jazeera for more