Thousands Protest in Hong Kong Over Jailing of Democracy Activists

Demonstrators march in protest of the jailing of student leaders Joshua Wong, Nathan Law and Alex Chow, who were imprisoned for their participation of the 2014 pro-democracy Umbrella Movement, also known as "Occupy Central" protests, in Hong Kong China August 20, 2017. Reuters/Tyrone Siu

HONG KONG—Thousands of people took to the streets of Hong Kong on Sunday to protest against the jailing of three young democracy activists, with many questioning the independence of the Chinese-ruled city’s judiciary.

On Thursday, Joshua Wong, 20, Nathan Law, 24 and Alex Chow, 27, were jailed for six to eight months for unlawful assembly, dealing a blow to the youth-led push for universal suffrage and prompting accusations of political interference.

Thousands of people marched in sweltering temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius (86°F) to the Court of Final Appeal, carrying placards and banners denouncing the jailing of the activists.

Demonstrators march in protest of the jailing of student leaders Joshua Wong, Nathan Law and Alex Chow in Hong Kong China August 20, 2017. Words on banner read: "Not a crime to go against totalitarianism." Reuters/Tyrone Siu