Thousands attend pro-police rally in Hong Kong

Tens of thousands gathered in Hong Kong on Saturday to voice support for the police and call for an end to violence after a wave of protests against an extradition bill triggered clashes between police and activists and plunged the city into crisis.

The rally, called "Safeguard Hong Kong," comes a day ahead of another mass protest planned against the government and its handling of the now-suspended extradition bill that would have allowed people in Hong Kong to be sent to mainland China for trial. Demonstrators waved Chinese and Hong Kong flags as others chanted "Hong Kong Cheer Up" and "Support Hong Kong Police". Police have called for calm ahead of a major anti-government protest on Sunday.