Hong Kong protests intensify

With pro-democracy protests intensifyingin Hong Kong, thousands of protesters refused to abide by a police ban onrallying today. The move comes a day after the arrests of many leadingactivists and lawmakers in a police crackdown.

According to reports, police banned a planned rally due tosecurity reasons following last weekend's violent clashes. 

Security had been tightened near Liason Office, thedepartment that represents China's central government. The police readied watercannon on the streets as precautionary measures. 

Within a period of 24 hours, activists such as Joshua Wongand Agnes Chow of the Demosisto Party and Independence campaigner Andy Chan hadbeen arrested while Lawmaker Cheng Chung-tai of the Civic Passion party wasalso detained due to the ongoing protests.

It may be noted that till now 900 people havebeen arrested since the outbreak of the protests in June.The protests erupted after Hong Kong governmenttried to pass a bill allowing extraditions to mainland China.