Thousands of demonstrators braved a downpour in Hong Kong to rally against the city's chief executive and demand direct democratic elections.
"We want one person, one vote," activist Joshua Wong announced to the crowd of citizens numbering in the ten thousands, gathered at Victoria Park for a protest that moved into the city's bustling business ward. "That's why we are here."
Wielding signs that read "defend freedom" and "Chinese colonialists get out," protestors took to the streets to stand for their building discontent with social issues including high rent, a deepening discrepancy of wealth and political issues, according to the Los Angeles Times.
They're calling for the removal of leader Leung Chun-ying, who they claim came to power under a larger governmental ruling rather than a local one.
"One person, one foot! Kick Leung Chun-ying out!" Demonstrators cried.
Hong Kong exists under a "one country, two system" framework, the Guardian reported on Monday. The city is a part of China, but operates with a different political and legal system. Barring national security, defense and foreign issues, Hong Kong is a self-governing area.
The Chinese city is commanded by one head-honcho in charge-Leung Chun-ying is something like a mayor, but was not put in office through a democratic vote.
Chief executives put in a seat of power for Hong Kong are picked by an assemblage of 1,200 of the richest, most powerful elites.
Most of them, the Los Angeles Times said, lean toward the politics of Beijing, and elect leaders who will impart pro-state government laws on the city.
As a result, residents of Hong Kong are displeased with the government's interference in local policy. Last year, for example, the Communist government tried to pervade the city's education legislation by bringing in a curriculum of patriotism, which locals quickly dashed as a form of "brainwashing."
But government authorities seem to have no intentions of stopping, as they made public in a statement issued around 5 p.m. on Monday.
"The government will continue its endeavor to tackle various problems including those related to economic development, housing, poverty, aging society and the environment," the statement read.
For 39-year-old Hong Kong resident Rico Lee, the divide between Hong Kong's people and China's government could not stand in more blatant of a contrast
"The culture is completely different from ours," he told the LA Times. "I can understand. We don't have total democracy here. And every year we have a little bit less."
