Pro-independence protest in front of Chinese consulate in solidarity with Hong Kong

Pro-independence demonstrators convened in front of the Chinese consulate in Barcelona's upscale Bonanova neighborhood on Thursday to show solidarity with the Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters while continuing with their daily calls for independence and the release of their leaders.

A similar protest took place simultaneously at Hong Kong's Chater Garden, in the territory's Central District. Promoted by the Hong Kong-Catalonia Solidarity Assembly, the demonstration is "in favor of the right to self-determination."

One of the most recognizable faces of the pro-democracy student movement in Hong Kong, Joshua Wong, recently told Catalan News that he was concerned about the ''excessive use of force by the police'' during the recent altercations in Catalonia.

Wong condemned ''state violence'' and defended that ''people in Hong Kong and Catalonia both deserve their right to determine their own destiny.''