Reuters – Thousands of people gathered in Hong Kong’s Chater Garden on Wednesday (August 28) to protest against alleged sexual violence committed by police officers during and after detentions of pro-democracy protesters. Echoing global protest movements denouncing violence against women, the event was billed by organizers as a “#MeToo” rally with some participants writing “#ProtestToo” on their arms with red lipstick.

Protest organizers played audio clips with the testimonials of protesters who alleged they had been mistreated by police officers. Many protesters who joined chanted slogans calling for democratic reforms in the Chinese-ruled territory.

The protest came on the back of widespread allegations of police use of excessive force during recent protests. The territory has been rocked by large and sometimes violent street protests over the past months starting with calls to withdraw a controversial extradition bill.

The protests have since expanded to include calls for democratic reforms and government accountability, plunging the former British colony into its biggest political crisis since it was handed back to China in 1997.

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