Leaders of demonstrations against Hong Kong's government and police have, for the first time, raised the possibility that extremist infiltrators, or even 'undercover agents', could be behind the increasingly violent nature of protests.
Recent disruptions at political meetings and forums saw activists wearing V for Vendetta masks taking an increasingly high profile. A protest on Saturday, against excessive use of force by the police during a recent visit by Vice-Premier Li Keqiang , saw a black and white banner displayed calling for the start of a 'class war'.
Established protest groups and New Youth - the group that began using masks of British revolutionary Guy Fawkes worn in V for Vendetta, a film about a group overthrowing a totalitarian government - said they did not know the identity of many of the masked people. King Lam, New Youth's chairman, said: 'We fight for democracy and are against extreme government power, but believe in rational, peaceful protest, not violent confrontation.'
Core activists and radical pan-democratic parties, People Power and the League of Social Democrats, also queried the identities of the protesters.
'If masked protesters' actions continue to be violent and extreme, we will have to consider drawing a line to stay away from them. Many activists feel uncomfortable,' said Fred Lam Fai, activist and chief campaigner for the think tank Roundtable Community.
