Pro-democracy protesters marched through the streets of Hong Kong

Pro-democracy protesters marched through the streets of Hong Kong on 1 July 2008, demanding full democratic rights from the Chinese government. Organizers claim that approximately 30,000 people marched from a local park to the main government offices downtown; police estimates put the number of protesters at 13,000. Hong Kong retains many of the civil liberties enjoyed during its colonial days -- including freedom of the press and the right to hold public protests -- but its people still do not have the right to directly elect chief executives or legislative members. The pro-democracy protests are an annual occurrence in Hong Kong on 1 July, the anniversary of the territory's being handed over from British to Chinese rule.