▶️Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters donned cartoon character masks as they formed human chains across the semi-autonomous Chinese city on Friday night, in defiance of a government ban on face coverings at public assemblies. 👉The peaceful event comes ahead of a mass rally organizers are planning Sunday to press their demands. Police refused to authorize the march, citing risks to public safety and order, but protesters have previously ignored such rejections. Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam took to the airwaves Saturday to back the use of force by police ahead of the march planned this weekend in the Chinese-ruled city, which has been battered by months of violent protests. More than 2,600 people have been arrested since the protests escalated in June. (AP) Video Provided by VOA Mandarin Service https://www.voanews.com/east-asia-pacific/hong-kongs-leader-backs-police-use-force-illegal-march