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Hong Kong Teachers Rally, Start Weekend of Protests

Associated Press

   HONG KONG - Thousands of schoolteachers in Hong Kong marched to the
   official residence of the city's leader Saturday as another weekend of
   protests got underway in the Chinese territory.

   An overflow crowd rallied at a nearby public square before setting off
   on streets that had been closed to traffic, carrying signs that read
   "Protect the next generation" and umbrellas to ward off intermittent
   downpours.

   The teachers tied white ribbons to a metal fence near Government House
   to show their support for the protesters, who have taken to the streets
   since early June and include many students. They said the government of
   leader Carrie Lam should answer the protesters' demands and stop using
   what they called police violence to disperse demonstrators who have
   taken over streets and besieged and defaced government buildings.

   "We want to protect our students, our youngsters, so teachers are
   willing to come out and speak for the youngsters, and also, to stand by
   them so they are not alone," said Fung Wai-wah, president of the Hong
   Kong Professional Teachers' Union, which organized the march.

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