Hong Kong July 1st March

July 1, 2017. Hong Kong.

July 1st is the day when Hong Kong was handed over as a British colony from UK back to China in 1997. It seems to be a day to be celebrated. But ever since the year 2003 when Chinese authorities threatened to pass Article 23 in Hong Kong - a definite threat to the HK people's freedom of speech, pro-democracy protestors would take their demands to the streets and voice their concerns. It has since been a pivotal moment of the year for protestors of all ranks and parties to come and rally for the sake of a more democratic future.

A group of pro-government protestors from "Defend Hong Kong Campaign" were illegally gathering outside the MTR station where the July 1st Protest location was nearby. Police went up to investigate.

An old man from pro-government "Defend Hong Kong Campaign" holds a Hong Kong flag while being surrounded by China flags.

Police wading through the Hong Kong and China flags.

Chinese tourists taking a photo at the sign of a tech exhibition celebrating the country's astronomical achievements. The venue had always been given to the July 1st March protestors in the past, but this year instead to a pro-Beijing organization which organized this exhibition.

Old man casually exercising in the lawn - where protestors will be gathering as the March's starting point.

Banners are laid out on the floor for protestors to carry around. One says "One Country Two Systems, deceiving you for life".

Au Nok-Hin, convenor of The Civil Human Rights Front, organizer of this year's July 1st March.

Protestors gather and walk around the space.

Benny Tai, one of the founders of the Occupy Central movement which eventually became the Umbrella Movement in 2014, gave a speech before the crowds took off.

Protestors carry a banner that says "The Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, Get lost!" as they're walking out the lawn.

Police are stationed along the way.

Construction workers on the way making a face to the protestors.

Pro-government protestors showing a thumbs down to pro-democracy protestors participating in the March.

Protestors walking down the road into the heart of Causeway Bay.

Flags from pro-democracy political party League of Social Democrats that says "Without Resistance, how will we have change?"

Joshua Wong, secretary-general of pro-democracy political party Demosistō, also known widely as one of the leaders of the 2014 Umbrella Movement, asks for public donations to support his legal battle against the government.