Protesters march in Hong Kong ahead of key vote

Protesters have once again taken to the streets in Hong Kong ahead of a vote on a political reform package in the special administrative region of China.

On Sunday afternoon local time, hundreds of protesters set off from the Victoria Park, marching on the legislative council building. They are due to continue the demonstration into the evening.

Holding placards reading, “True universal suffrage,” and yellow umbrellas, symbol of the protest movement, marchers voiced their support for a veto of the government’s electoral reform package, which has divided Hong Kong and sparked mass protests.

Hong Kong, whose leadership returned to China after about a century of British colonial rule in 1979, was roiled by 79 days of mass demonstrations and street occupations late last year. Beijing called for the vetting of nominations for the region’s next chief executive in 2017. The move triggered the protests.

Those opposing the Chinese government proposal have denounced it as “sham democracy,” calling for genuine universal suffrage.

The election blueprint is scheduled to go for debate at the legislature on Wednesday and will be voted on by the end of the week.