'The stakes are higher': Hong Kong's battle lines redrawn for post-Covid protests

The Guardian

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The territory is braced for a summer of activism, but mass demonstrations may be a thing of the past as police target leaders, reporters and freedoms

Hong Kong is bracing for another summer of protest after renewed violence in parliament, shopping malls, and streets over the weekend. But after almost a year of Beijing’s escalating anger, a growing sense of impunity among police, and a still-dangerous pandemic the rules of engagement are being redrawn.

On Friday the Legislative Council (LegCo) hosted alarming scenes as pro-Beijing legislators protected by security took control of a committee chair, sparking a standoff which escalated to violence. They were seeking to pass a controversial law which would criminalise disrespect of the national anthem. A weekend of flash mobs followed.

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