Hong Kong elders, youths vow to keep up pro-democracy fight

Hong Kong : Hundreds of silver-haired activists joined young Hong Kong protesters for a unity rally Saturday, vowing that their months-long movement will not fade away until there is greater democracy in the Chinese territory.

The rally at a park downtown was among several peaceful gatherings by protesters this week to keep up pressure on the government amid a lull in violence following a local election victory by the pro-democracy bloc and the gaining of US support for their cause.

A local boys' band belted out songs to tell protesters that "the whole Hong Kong is supporting you." Speakers reminded the crowd that it wasn't time to celebrate and that the fight for real autonomy must persist.

The protesters are angry over creeping Chinese interference in Hong Kong that they say is eroding their rights promised

when the former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997.

"The government wants us to desert the front-liners and young protesters, but we will stick with them," rally organiser Tam Kwok-sun, 64, said to loud cheers from the crowd.