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AP Photo/Kin Cheung
World News

Catholics march for peace in Hong Kong as unrest continues

Large protests started in response to a proposed extradition bill, which has now been suspended, but have evolved into a more demanding pro-democracy movement.

Meanwhile, over 1,000 Catholics have marched for peace in the city as mass unrest in Hong Kong is now in its tenth week.

People at the vigil gathered in front of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and marched through the central business district to the Court of Final Appeal of the Hong Kong, singing hymns and holding electric candles.

Organisers of the march who include the Justice and Peace Commission of Hong Kong Diocese, said they were calling for a full withdrawal of the extradition amendment proposed by chief executive Carrie Lam; the establishment of an independent committee to investigate the conflict between protesters and police; and accountability by the Hong Kong Legislative Council and chief executive but said that they would remain solely a prayer movement.

Hong Kong Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing addressed the gathering, saying the situation called for the Catholic Church to speak with peace and reason. "In the past two months, we have really experienced the limit of humanity and we should pray," he said.

"Violence will only create more violence. Hatred will only produce more hatred. Injustice will never achieve justice. History will prove that only peace and reason can establish a long-term peace," he said.

On Monday, thousands of pro-democracy protestors grounded flights at Hong Kong airport.

Riot police again fired tear gas and rubber bullets at the weekend, letting off rounds in an underground station and using plain-clothes police 'snatch squads' to detain troublemakers.

The Chinese government said the unrest is now showing "sprouts of terrorism".

Leader Carrie Lam spoke today at a press conference, she said Hong Kong had "reached [a] dangerous situation" and that violence during protests would push it "down a path of no return".

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