A protester attempting to protect himself from teargas. Reuters.
Police and Occupy Central protesters clashed in Hong Kong today after riot police tried to break up the pro-democracy protest. -Reuters. The police fired tear gas and charged with batons, who were blocking a road. Tens of thousands of protesters came back after the initial clashes. The protests are in response to China forbidding the people of Hong Kong to choose who comes up for election. Right now only China approved candidates are allowed. China has long feared democracy and has used force to break up protests before, most famously in 1989 in Tienanmen square. Already many protesters have been arrested and detained including several leaders of the Occupy Central movement.
My Comment:
I'm guessing that this protest will be shut down without mercy. If there is one thing that the Chinese government fears it is the people rising up. That's the main reason they have such a large army and that's why they have been so harsh to any and all democracy protests. I'm not saying it's right of course, I'm just saying that it is probably going to happen. Of course a heavy hand would have consequences. The rest of the world would not like it at all and may sanction China if they go in and kill everyone. A heavy hand could also inspire other protests in different Chinese cities. Either way a successful protest or a harsh crackdown will have consequences for China. It will be interesting to see how they handle it.
As for the protesters, Hong Kong's history as a British colony is probably a large reason for these protests. Many of the people protesting may remember what life was like under a freer system since China only gained control of Hong Kong in 1997. I'm admittedly ignorant to what life was like under British rule but I would have to think that it was freer and more open then it is now.
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