HONG KONG — Thousands of officials took part in anti-government protests in Hong Kong on Friday for the first time since protests began two months ago, defying authorities’ warnings to remain politically neutral.
Protests against a bill that would allow people to be extradited to court in mainland China have turned increasingly violent, with police accused of using excessive force and failing to protect protesters against suspected gang attacks.
Crowds chanted in support of officials during their Friday night rally, which halted traffic on major thoroughfares in the heart of the city’s business district.
Friday’s rally came after an open letter, written anonymously and posted on Facebook, contained a series of demands addressed to the Hong Kong government by a group that claimed it was representing officials.
China’s new ambassador to the United Nations, Zhang Jun, said Friday that Beijing supports the Hong Kong government’s actions to “bring back normal order, rule of law and normal life to the people.”
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