Anti-government protests in Hong Kong on handover anniversary

Anti-government protesters in Hong Kong took over key roads early on Monday morning ahead of a mass planned pro-democracy rally on the anniversary of the city’s handover to China.

The city has been shaken by historic demonstrations in the past three weeks, when protesters have demanded the withdrawal of a bill that would allow extraditions to the Chinese mainland.

Pro-democracy activists have organised a march every handover anniversary, calling for greater democratic freedoms, such as the right to elect the city’s leader.

The pro-democracy rally is scheduled to take place this afternoon, following the same route the two mass rallies last month took from a park to the city’s legislature.

Earlier, on Sunday, tens of thousands of pro-establishment protesters rallied in support of Hong Kong’s police.