.- More than a thousand protesters took to the streets of Hong Kong on Saturday to demand the release of the artist and human rights activist Ai Weiwei, and clashed briefly with police. The march - the largest of a series of protests in the city in recent weeks - has highlighted the growing role of Hong Kong as a hotbed of support for Ai.
Democracy activists and artists are piling pressure on Beijing for its harsh crackdown against dissidents, human rights lawyers and protesters defying censorship controls and the Communist Party. Protesters held banners saying: "Who is afraid of Weiwei? and beat drums as they headed into the Cultural Center, which demanded the release of Ai.
"He has had much impact," said John Batten, art critic in Hong Kong, who participated in the march. "The message is purely about freedom of expression is not only (...) Ai Weiwei" he said. Organizers said that two thousand people came, watched by a strong police contingent. Although the event was mostly peaceful, there were brief clashes with police.
Graffiti with the image of Ai have appeared on the subways, streets and public spaces of the former British colony, leading to police investigations. Ai's arrest in Beijing on April 3 after being prevented to address a flight to Hong Kong, has drawn criticism from Western governments. The Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, said he was "deeply concerned" about the crackdown. 
Democracy activists and artists are piling pressure on Beijing for its harsh crackdown against dissidents, human rights lawyers and protesters defying censorship controls and the Communist Party. Protesters held banners saying: "Who is afraid of Weiwei? and beat drums as they headed into the Cultural Center, which demanded the release of Ai.
"He has had much impact," said John Batten, art critic in Hong Kong, who participated in the march. "The message is purely about freedom of expression is not only (...) Ai Weiwei" he said. Organizers said that two thousand people came, watched by a strong police contingent. Although the event was mostly peaceful, there were brief clashes with police.
Graffiti with the image of Ai have appeared on the subways, streets and public spaces of the former British colony, leading to police investigations. Ai's arrest in Beijing on April 3 after being prevented to address a flight to Hong Kong, has drawn criticism from Western governments. The Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, said he was "deeply concerned" about the crackdown.
- Chinese Hackers Bring Down Change.org in Response to Ai Weiwei Campaign (20/04/2011)
- "Who is Ai Weiwei and Why is He in Jail?" and related posts (10/04/2011)
- VIDEO: Artist Ai Weiwei barred from flight (03/04/2011)
- ArtsBeat: Arts Group Calls for Worldwide Sit-In for Ai Weiwei (14/04/2011)
- Report on interviews with Singaporeans about their opinions about Hong Kong food (23/04/2011)
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