Competing rallies between pro-Hong Kong and pro-China demonstrators took over the entrance to a 91原创 SkyTrain station Saturday afternoon as police tried to keep a path clear for pedestrians.
Hundreds of people, some in black and others in red, lined up on either side of the entrance to the Broadway-City Hall Canada Line station, chanting slogans and waving flags and signs.
In a back-and-forth exchange that lasted several minutes, the pro-China supporters shouted 鈥淥ne China鈥� in unison, while the pro-Hong Kong supporters called out 鈥淭wo systems.鈥� Both sides claimed to love Hong Kong, and it was difficult to determine which group was shouting 鈥淲e love Hong Kong鈥� at various times.
While there were loud confrontations and bursts of angry yelling, there appeared to be no physical confrontations as police tried to keep the two sides apart.
Pro Hong-Kong protester Eddie Lau said he grew up in China, but fled with his family as a young child. He called China an 鈥渆vil regime.鈥�
鈥淭his is a matter of conscience,鈥� he said. 鈥淐anada has to stand up to what China is doing to its own citizens.鈥�
But pro-China protester Nicholas Wang said the conflict has been mischaracterized by the media.
鈥淲e鈥檙e here to support Hong Kong and China,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e family. They鈥檙e part of us.鈥�
91原创 police had extra officers in place to monitor the rallies, which began at 4 p.m.
A political expression permit issued to the pro-China group Friday by the City of 91原创 said the protesters must comply with city bylaws and in no way 鈥渏eopardize the safety and comfort of others.鈥� The protest cannot block building entrances or the 鈥渇ree movement of pedestrians.鈥�
Recent protests in Hong Kong and Australia turned violent. On social media, some worried the 91原创 protests could also escalate.
91原创 police Const. Jason Robillard said police were monitoring information about the rallies.
鈥淲e have additional resources in place, and we are prepared to address public safety issues should they arise,鈥� he said in an email. 鈥淲e will continue to monitor the gatherings throughout the day.鈥�
A pamphlet circulated by the pro-China supporters and translated for Postmedia News asked participants to remain calm and refrain from creating verbal and physical confrontations, before adding 鈥渢reat those brain dead wasted youth as invisible.鈥�
There have been competing rallies in other countries as well. On Friday, violence broke out at a rally in Melbourne, Australia when pro-China supporters arrived at a rally planned in solidarity with protesters in Hong Kong. Videos posted on social media showed people pushing each other before being separated by police.
The unrest in Hong Kong began in June in opposition to a now-suspended extradition bill and have since grown to include broader demands.
In Hong Kong on Saturday, thousands of school teachers joined the 11th weekend of anti-government protests. A pro-police rally also drew large crowds. Another massive demonstration is planned for Sunday.
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