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Hong Kong Activist Joshua Wong to Seek Local Office

Associated Press

   HONG KONG - Prominent Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong announced plans
   Saturday to contest local elections and warned that any attempt to
   disqualify him will only spur more support for monthslong pro-democracy
   protests.

   His announcement came ahead of a major rally later Saturday to mark the
   fifth anniversary of the Umbrella protests, where he first shot to fame
   as a youth leader. During the Umbrella Movement, protesters occupied
   key thoroughfares in the city for 79 days to demand for free elections
   for the city's leaders but failed to win any concession.

   Wong, 22, said he will run in district council elections in November
   and that the vote is crucial to send a message to Beijing that the
   people are more determined than ever to win the battle for more rights.

   "Five years ago, we claimed that we will be back and now we are back
   with even stronger determination," he told a news conference. "The
   battle ahead is the battle for our home and our homeland."

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