Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong is seeking the support of U.S. lawmakers for the demands of his fellow protesters who have led months of streets demonstrations, including a call for free elections.
Wong, speaking in New York on Saturday ahead of a planned visit to Washington, led Hong Kong's pro-democracy "Umbrella Movement" in 2014. The latest protests, which began over a now-withdrawn extradition bill but grew into demands for greater democracy and independence from mainland China, are mostly leaderless.
"We hope ... for bipartisan support," Wong said of his trip to Washington, adding that U.S. lawmakers should demand the inclusion of a human rights clause in the ongoing U.S.-China trade negotiations.