Years of dashed hopes fuel Hong Kong protest rage

As Hong Kong is convulsed by fresh anti-government protests, many of those who have taken to the streets say they feel this is their last chance to protect the city's freedoms after years of slow strangulation by Beijing.

Four years ago huge pro-democracy "Umbrella Movement" protests brought parts of the city to a standstill for months, but that campaign eventually fizzled without the government making any major concessions.

The current protests are focused on a controversial proposal to introduce a law allowing extraditions to countries Hong Kong doesn't already have a treaty with -- including China.

Organisers said over a million people took to the streets on Sunday -- police put the figure at a more modest 240,000 -- but pro-Beijing Chief Executive Carrie Lam has rejected all calls to delay or withdraw the bill.

"We have been listening and listening very attentively," she said after Sunday's protests, but insisted her administration had already made substantial concessions.

While the extradition law may be the rallying point for protesters, many say dissatisfaction is more deeply rooted.

Here are some of those voices:
"There hasn't been any time for Hong Kong people to gasp for breath. We have worked so hard to build a civilised society."
"But we won't accept defeat. The one million strong protest parade was a display of the power of the powerless."