- Rally was first to have secured police go-ahead after anti-mask law took effect on October 5
- Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act is expected to be put to vote in the US as soon as Wednesday morning
Thousands of Hong Kong protesters " some waving American flags " filled a downtown park and spilled out onto nearby roads on Monday evening, urging US congressmen to pass a bill that would sanction and penalise Chinese and Hong Kong officials deemed to have suppressed democracy in the city.
The rally was also the first to have secured a police go-ahead after the newly imposed anti-mask law " a measure to quell the worsening violent protests in recent months " took effect on October 5.
Rally organisers warned participants in advance of the possible legal risks they faced if they breached the tough law. And the crowd, comprising mainly young people, largely took no chances, with only a handful seen wearing surgical masks.
The organisers, Rally for Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act Organising Committee, had expected a turnout of about 2,000.
Contrary to the violence on streets over the weekend that saw mobs assaulting protesters and hurling petrol bombs at police stations and MTR stations, protesters attending Monday's rally took a more festive approach.
They sang pop and protest songs while intermittently chanting anti-government slogans. They cheered for the US " as a "protector of freedom" and "regulator of world order" " to pass tougher laws against Hong Kong.
However, at 9pm, the intersection of Des Vouex Road Central and Pedder Street was blocked causing traffic to tailback.
US senator urges Hong Kong's protesters to shun violence
Activists and opposition lawmakers, including Joshua Wong Chi-fung and Civic Party's Dennis Kwok, took to the stage to address the crowds.
Wong said: "We hope other US allies will follow suit and make laws to sanction Hong Kong officials for suppressing democracy here."
A spokesman for the organiser said: "Our rally is to urge US congressmen to pass the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act. We also want to show them our stance on freedom.
"Resistance has become a part of Hong Kong's daily life. Hongkongers are not afraid and will continue to come out to fight for our rights and freedoms."
The bill was expected to be put to vote as soon as Wednesday morning in Hong Kong. If the bill is passed in the lower house, it will need to pass the senate and then be signed by US President Donald Trump to become law.
The act proposes economic sanctions and penalties on Chinese and Hong Kong officials found to have suppressed democracy in the city.
US passing Hong Kong bill will 'punish the wrong people': ex-Trump envoy
Among other things, the act also seeks to allow those who have taken part in pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong to get travel visas to the US despite "adverse government action" against them, including arrest and detention.
Half an hour before the rally started at 7pm, crowds already packed the Chater Garden and spilled out onto the roads around the park in Central district. Riot police were on guard.
Most protesters appeared to have just gone after work. Before the rally started, the organisers called for a minute of silence for those who have been injured or committed suicide during the past four months.
Copyright (c) 2019. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
