Protesters and Police Clash in Another Weekend of Tension in Hong Kong

Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters sing songs and chant slogans during a rally inside a shopping mall in Sha Tin on Sept. 22, 2019. Pro-democracy protesters have continued demonstrations across Hong Kong, calling for the city's Chief Executive Carrie Lam to immediately meet the rest of their demands, including an independent inquiry into police brutality, the retraction of the word “riot” to describe the rallies, and genuine universal suffrage, as the territory faces a leadership crisis. Chris McGrath/Getty Images

The 16th consecutive week of demonstrations in Hong Kong was marked by more violent confrontations between police and protesters.

The demonstrations began initially in opposition to an extradition bill that would allow the Chinese regime to transfer individuals to face trial in mainland China. Many saw as the bill as an example of China’s creeping interference in Hong Kong, which returned to Chinese rule in 1997 under a “one country, two systems” formula intended to guarantee freedoms that aren’t enjoyed on the mainland.