<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/joshua-wong-poster-child-of-hong-kongs-umbrella-movement-227835">Hong Kong student leaders</a> on Thursday announced a two-week boycott of lectures from the upcoming start of term, as they seek to keep protesters on the streets and pressure on the government.

The financial hub has been rocked by three months of unrest, with students making up a large number of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-mounting-violence-and-warnings-from-china-hong-kong-protesters-flood-streets-in-peaceful-march-243848">the pro-democracy protesters</a> taking to the streets almost daily.

Student leaders representing most of the city's major universities said students will miss lectures between September 2 the planned start of the new term, and September 13.

They threatened further action if the government does not adequately respond to the protesters' five demands, which include spiking a controversial extradition bill, universal suffrage and an independent inquiry into alleged police abuses during the protests.

"Two weeks should be enough for the government to think through how to respond," said Davin Wong, acting president of the Hong Kong University Students' Union.

"As the situation has gotten more intense, we believe the social situation will bring more students into the boycott."

Wong said students will be encouraged to take time to "understand what happened in our society, what we can do for our city's future."

Students have featured prominently in the weeks of protests that have rocked Hong Kong.

The demonstrations were sparked by an attempt by the city's government to bring in a bill that would have allowed for extradition to China.

But they quickly morphed into a wider pro-democracy campaign, in a city where young people are boxed in by the soaring cost of living and worsening job prospects.

Hong Kong student leaders on Thursday announced a two-week boycott of lectures from the upcoming start of term, as they seek to keep protesters on the streets and pressure on the government.

Hong Kong student leaders on Thursday announced a two-week boycott of lectures from the upcoming start of term, as they seek to keep protesters on the streets and pressure on the government. The financial hub has been rocked by three months of unrest, with students making up a large number of the pro-democracy protesters taking to the streets almost daily. Student leaders representing most of the city's major universities said students will miss lectures between September 2 the planned start of the new term, and September 13. They threatened further action if the government does not adequately respond to the protesters' five demands, which include spiking a controversial extradition bill, universal suffrage and an independent inquiry into alleged police abuses during the protests. "Two weeks should be enough for the government to think through how to respond," said Davin Wong, acting president of the Hong Kong University Students' Union. "As the situation has gotten more intense, we believe the social situation will bring more students into the boycott." Wong said students will be encouraged to take time to "understand what happened in our society, what we can do for our city's future." Students have featured prominently in the weeks of protests that have rocked Hong Kong. The demonstrations were sparked by an attempt by the city's government to bring in a bill that would have allowed for extradition to China. But they quickly morphed into a wider pro-democracy campaign, in a city where young people are boxed in by the soaring cost of living and worsening job prospects.

Hong Kong students to boycott university lectures as protests continue

Protesters vowed to defy a police ban Saturday and rally against suspected triad gangs who beat up pro-democracy demonstrators last weekend.

Public anger has been raging since last Sunday when a gang of men in white t-shirts, armed with poles and batons, set upon anti-government protesters and bystanders in a station and on a train, leaving at least 45 people needing hospital treatment.

The brazen assault was the latest escalation in seven weeks of unprecedented political violence that shows little sign of abating as the city's pro-Beijing leaders refuse to budge.&nbsp;

Hong Kong has been plunged into its worst crisis in recent history after millions of demonstrators took to the streets -- and sporadic violent confrontations erupted between police and pockets of hardcore protesters.

The demonstrations were triggered by a controversial bill which would have allowed extraditions to mainland China but has evolved into a call for wider democratic reforms and a halt to sliding freedoms.

Saturday's rally will be held where last Sunday's attack took place in Yuen Long, a town in Hong Kong near the Chinese border where many of the surrounding villages are known for triad connections and their staunch support for the pro-Beijing establishment.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Police have been heavily criticised for being too slow to respond to Sunday's violence, fueling accusations of collusion or turning a blind eye to the pro-government mob -- allegations the force have denied.

Police say they have arrested 12 people so far in connection with Sunday's violence, nine of whom have known triad links.

Pokemon and shopping sprees

In a rare move, Hong Kong police banned Saturday's rally saying they feared reprisal attacks against villagers from protesters.

But social messaging channels used to organise the largely leaderless movement have quickly filled up with vows from people to join in.&nbsp;

Some suggested holding a "shopping spree" in Yuen Long, others for a mass gathering of Pokemon Go, a popular mobile phone game.&nbsp;

Others suggested, sarcastically, it could be an occasion to mourn the death on Wednesday of notorious Chinese communist hardliner Li Peng, noting that religious gatherings do not need police permission.

Rumours have swirled that protesters might target the ancestral halls and graves of a village close to the Yuen Long's station where the white shirt mob ran into after their attack and later left without police making any arrests despite a large presence of officers.&nbsp;

Earlier this week the graves of Junius Ho's parents were vandalised. An ardent pro-Beijing lawmaker, Ho was seen shaking hands with the white-shirted men before Sunday's attack. He also threatened a pro-democracy lawmaker in an online video earlier this week.

That lawmaker, Eddie Chu, who also hails from the New Territories, said many villagers abhorred Sunday's attack but were afraid to speak out.&nbsp;

He used Facebook to call on fellow protesters not to target village halls and graves, saying such actions would backfire and unite sympathetic villagers against their protest movement.&nbsp;

Airport protest&nbsp;

Beijing has labelled the protests as "extreme illegal violence", but has left it to the city's semi-autonomous government to deal with the situation.

City leader Carrie Lam has shown no sign of backing down beyond agreeing to suspend the extradition bill.&nbsp;On Wednesday China issued a stark reminder that its army could be deployed in Hong Kong if city authorities requested support in maintaining "public order", something local authorities have said they have no intention of doing.

Two days later thousands held a 10-hour protest at the airport arrival hall in a bid to "educate" visitors, particularly mainlanders, about their movement. The protest was peaceful and there was no disruption to flights.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Protesters also plan to march on Sunday through a district where riot police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at projectile-hurling protesters the week before.&nbsp;

Police have allowed a rally to take place but denied protesters permission to march, raising the likelihood of further confrontations.&nbsp;

Protesters vowed to defy a police ban Saturday and rally against suspected triad gangs who beat up pro-democracy demonstrators last weekend. Public anger has been raging since last Sunday when a gang of men in white t-shirts, armed with poles and batons, set upon anti-government protesters and bystanders in a station and on a train, leaving at least 45 people needing hospital treatment.

Protesters vowed to defy a police ban Saturday and rally against suspected triad gangs who beat up pro-democracy demonstrators last weekend. Public anger has been raging since last Sunday when a gang of men in white t-shirts, armed with poles and batons, set upon anti-government protesters and bystanders in a station and on a train, leaving at least 45 people needing hospital treatment. The brazen assault was the latest escalation in seven weeks of unprecedented political violence that shows little sign of abating as the city's pro-Beijing leaders refuse to budge. Hong Kong has been plunged into its worst crisis in recent history after millions of demonstrators took to the streets -- and sporadic violent confrontations erupted between police and pockets of hardcore protesters. The demonstrations were triggered by a controversial bill which would have allowed extraditions to mainland China but has evolved into a call for wider democratic reforms and a halt to sliding freedoms. Saturday's rally will be held where last Sunday's attack took place in Yuen Long, a town in Hong Kong near the Chinese border where many of the surrounding villages are known for triad connections and their staunch support for the pro-Beijing establishment. Police have been heavily criticised for being too slow to respond to Sunday's violence, fueling accusations of collusion or turning a blind eye to the pro-government mob -- allegations the force have denied. Police say they have arrested 12 people so far in connection with Sunday's violence, nine of whom have known triad links. Pokemon and shopping sprees In a rare move, Hong Kong police banned Saturday's rally saying they feared reprisal attacks against villagers from protesters. But social messaging channels used to organise the largely leaderless movement have quickly filled up with vows from people to join in. Some suggested holding a "shopping spree" in Yuen Long, others for a mass gathering of Pokemon Go, a popular mobile phone game. Others suggested, sarcastically, it could be an occasion to mourn the death on Wednesday of notorious Chinese communist hardliner Li Peng, noting that religious gatherings do not need police permission. Rumours have swirled that protesters might target the ancestral halls and graves of a village close to the Yuen Long's station where the white shirt mob ran into after their attack and later left without police making any arrests despite a large presence of officers. Earlier this week the graves of Junius Ho's parents were vandalised. An ardent pro-Beijing lawmaker, Ho was seen shaking hands with the white-shirted men before Sunday's attack. He also threatened a pro-democracy lawmaker in an online video earlier this week. That lawmaker, Eddie Chu, who also hails from the New Territories, said many villagers abhorred Sunday's attack but were afraid to speak out. He used Facebook to call on fellow protesters not to target village halls and graves, saying such actions would backfire and unite sympathetic villagers against their protest movement. Airport protest Beijing has labelled the protests as "extreme illegal violence", but has left it to the city's semi-autonomous government to deal with the situation. City leader Carrie Lam has shown no sign of backing down beyond agreeing to suspend the extradition bill. On Wednesday China issued a stark reminder that its army could be deployed in Hong Kong if city authorities requested support in maintaining "public order", something local authorities have said they have no intention of doing. Two days later thousands held a 10-hour protest at the airport arrival hall in a bid to "educate" visitors, particularly mainlanders, about their movement. The protest was peaceful and there was no disruption to flights. Protesters also plan to march on Sunday through a district where riot police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at projectile-hurling protesters the week before. Police have allowed a rally to take place but denied protesters permission to march, raising the likelihood of further confrontations.

Hong Kong braces for 'anti-triad' rally despite police ban

Thousands of Hong Kong protesters defied a police ban on Saturday and marched through a town near the Chinese border to rally against suspected triad gangs who beat up pro-democracy demonstrators there last weekend.

Public anger has been raging since last Sunday when a gang of men in white t-shirts, armed with poles and batons, set upon anti-government protesters and bystanders in Yuen Long station, leaving at least 45 people needing hospital treatment.

The brazen assault was the latest escalation in seven weeks of unprecedented <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-braces-for-anti-triad-rally-despite-police-ban-238786">political violence</a> that shows little sign of abating as the city's pro-Beijing leaders refuse to budge.&nbsp;

Hong Kong has been plunged into its worst crisis in recent history after millions of demonstrators took to the streets -- and sporadic violent confrontations erupted between police and pockets of hardcore protesters.

The demonstrations were triggered by a controversial bill which would have allowed extraditions to mainland China, but have evolved into a call for wider democratic reforms and a halt to sliding freedoms.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Police have been heavily criticised for being too slow to respond to Sunday's violence, fueling accusations of collusion or turning a blind eye to the pro-government mob -- allegations the force has denied.

Pokemon and shopping sprees&nbsp;

In a rare move, police banned Saturday's rally saying they feared reprisal attacks against villagers from protesters.

Social messaging channels used to organise the largely leaderless movement quickly filled up with vows from people to join in.&nbsp;

Some suggested holding a "shopping spree" in Yuen Long, others for a mass gathering of Pokemon Go, a popular mobile phone game.&nbsp;

Huge crowds spilled out of Yuen Long's main station on Saturday afternoon and into surrounding streets where police maintained a large presence but kept their distance. Many shops were shuttered.

"Everyone of us came here on our own initiation," a 25-year-old medical worker surnamed Ng, told AFP. "So I don't think this is an illegal assembly, I've just come here as an individual to tell people my thoughts."

Another woman, surnamed Cheung, said she wanted to show "we are not afraid and that Hong Kongers won't cower in fear".

"The police and (the government) are together suppressing people's freedom to express their views," she added.

Large plastic barriers filled with water surrounded the local police station which was shuttered. The most common chant outside was "hak ging" -- black cops -- a pun on the a phrase to describe triads: black societies.&nbsp;

Triad links&nbsp;

Yuen Long is in Hong Kong's New Territories, a rural area where many of the surrounding villages are known for triad connections and their staunch support for the pro-Beijing establishment.&nbsp;

Police say they have arrested 12 people so far in connection with Sunday's violence, nine of whom have known triad links.

Rumours have swirled that protesters might target the ancestral halls and graves of a village close to the Yuen Long's station where the white shirt mob ran into after their attack and later left without police making any arrests despite a large presence of officers.&nbsp;

Earlier this week the graves of Junius Ho's parents were vandalised. An ardent pro-Beijing lawmaker, Ho was seen shaking hands with the white-shirted men before Sunday's attack. He also threatened a pro-democracy lawmaker in an online video earlier this week.

That lawmaker, Eddie Chu, who also hails from the New Territories, said many villagers abhorred Sunday's attack but were afraid to speak out, calling on demonstrators not to harm graves and halls.&nbsp;

An AFP photographer saw protesters putting up signs encouraging others not to venture into the nearby villages.

Few concessions&nbsp;

Weeks of unprecedented protests with huge turnouts -- as well as frequent clashes and the sacking of parliament -- have had little luck persuading Beijing or Hong Kong's leaders.&nbsp;

Beijing has issued increasingly shrill condemnations in the last fortnight, but has left it to the city's semi-autonomous government to deal with the situation.

City leader Carrie Lam has shown no sign of backing down beyond agreeing to suspend the extradition bill.&nbsp;

On Friday thousands held a 10-hour protest at the airport arrival hall in a bid to "educate" visitors about their movement -- especially those on the Chinese mainland where news is heavily censored.&nbsp;

The protest was peaceful and there was no disruption to flights. &nbsp;

Protesters also plan to march on Sunday through a district where riot police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at projectile-hurling protesters the week before.&nbsp;

Police have allowed a rally to take place, but denied protesters permission to march, raising the likelihood of further confrontations.&nbsp;

Thousands of Hong Kong protesters defied a police ban on Saturday and marched through a town near the Chinese border to rally against suspected triad gangs who beat up pro-democracy demonstrators there last weekend.

Thousands of Hong Kong protesters defied a police ban on Saturday and marched through a town near the Chinese border to rally against suspected triad gangs who beat up pro-democracy demonstrators there last weekend. Public anger has been raging since last Sunday when a gang of men in white t-shirts, armed with poles and batons, set upon anti-government protesters and bystanders in Yuen Long station, leaving at least 45 people needing hospital treatment. The brazen assault was the latest escalation in seven weeks of unprecedented political violence that shows little sign of abating as the city's pro-Beijing leaders refuse to budge. Hong Kong has been plunged into its worst crisis in recent history after millions of demonstrators took to the streets -- and sporadic violent confrontations erupted between police and pockets of hardcore protesters. The demonstrations were triggered by a controversial bill which would have allowed extraditions to mainland China, but have evolved into a call for wider democratic reforms and a halt to sliding freedoms. Police have been heavily criticised for being too slow to respond to Sunday's violence, fueling accusations of collusion or turning a blind eye to the pro-government mob -- allegations the force has denied. Pokemon and shopping sprees In a rare move, police banned Saturday's rally saying they feared reprisal attacks against villagers from protesters. Social messaging channels used to organise the largely leaderless movement quickly filled up with vows from people to join in. Some suggested holding a "shopping spree" in Yuen Long, others for a mass gathering of Pokemon Go, a popular mobile phone game. Huge crowds spilled out of Yuen Long's main station on Saturday afternoon and into surrounding streets where police maintained a large presence but kept their distance. Many shops were shuttered. "Everyone of us came here on our own initiation," a 25-year-old medical worker surnamed Ng, told AFP. "So I don't think this is an illegal assembly, I've just come here as an individual to tell people my thoughts." Another woman, surnamed Cheung, said she wanted to show "we are not afraid and that Hong Kongers won't cower in fear". "The police and (the government) are together suppressing people's freedom to express their views," she added. Large plastic barriers filled with water surrounded the local police station which was shuttered. The most common chant outside was "hak ging" -- black cops -- a pun on the a phrase to describe triads: black societies. Triad links Yuen Long is in Hong Kong's New Territories, a rural area where many of the surrounding villages are known for triad connections and their staunch support for the pro-Beijing establishment. Police say they have arrested 12 people so far in connection with Sunday's violence, nine of whom have known triad links. Rumours have swirled that protesters might target the ancestral halls and graves of a village close to the Yuen Long's station where the white shirt mob ran into after their attack and later left without police making any arrests despite a large presence of officers. Earlier this week the graves of Junius Ho's parents were vandalised. An ardent pro-Beijing lawmaker, Ho was seen shaking hands with the white-shirted men before Sunday's attack. He also threatened a pro-democracy lawmaker in an online video earlier this week. That lawmaker, Eddie Chu, who also hails from the New Territories, said many villagers abhorred Sunday's attack but were afraid to speak out, calling on demonstrators not to harm graves and halls. An AFP photographer saw protesters putting up signs encouraging others not to venture into the nearby villages. Few concessions Weeks of unprecedented protests with huge turnouts -- as well as frequent clashes and the sacking of parliament -- have had little luck persuading Beijing or Hong Kong's leaders. Beijing has issued increasingly shrill condemnations in the last fortnight, but has left it to the city's semi-autonomous government to deal with the situation. City leader Carrie Lam has shown no sign of backing down beyond agreeing to suspend the extradition bill. On Friday thousands held a 10-hour protest at the airport arrival hall in a bid to "educate" visitors about their movement -- especially those on the Chinese mainland where news is heavily censored. The protest was peaceful and there was no disruption to flights. Protesters also plan to march on Sunday through a district where riot police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at projectile-hurling protesters the week before. Police have allowed a rally to take place, but denied protesters permission to march, raising the likelihood of further confrontations.

Hong Kongers defy police ban with mass 'anti-triad' rally

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