Hong Kong Protests Mark 6-Month Mark With Massive Rally

Authorities, who have liberally used tear gas, water cannons and rubber bullets at previous demonstrations, say force has been necessary to disperse hard-core protesters who have battled riot officers, vandalized shops and thrown gasoline bombs. Police banned mass marches as protests turned increasingly violent, but relented and allowed Sunday's march after a few weeks of relative peace.

The rally was called by the Civil Human Rights Front, a group that has organized some of the biggest demonstrations since hundreds of thousands of protesters first marched on 9 June against the extradition bill.

Chief among the protesters' complaints on Sunday was that police have been overly heavy-handed, making thousands of arrests since June.