Weekend protests in Hong Kong turn violent

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Some protesters threw bricks and gasoline bombs at riot police in Hong Kong over the weekend. Thousands of pro-democracy demonstrators marched peacefully in the northwest Tuen Mun district on Saturday before violence broke out. On Sunday, demonstrators in the Sha Tin district attacked a subway station connected to a mall.

Why the upsurge in violence? China is preparing to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Communist Party’s rise to power on Oct. 1. The protests in Hong Kong began in June over a since-withdrawn extradition bill but grew into calls for democratic reform. Last week, Hong Kong’s Leisure and Cultural Services Department canceled the annual National Day fireworks on Oct. 1 due to the unrest.

Dig deeper: Read Erica Kwong’s updated timeline on the protests.

Onize Oduah

Onize is WORLD’s Africa reporter and deputy global desk chief. She is a World Journalism Institute graduate and earned a journalism degree from Minnesota State University–Moorhead. Onize resides in Abuja, Nigeria.

@onize_ohiks