Hong Kong democrats score historic victory

Supporters of a pro-democracy candidate cheer after winning their seat in district council elections in Hong Kong, early Monday, Nov. 25, 2019. Voters in Hong Kong turned out in droves on Sunday in district council elections seen as a barometer of public support for pro-democracy protests that have rocked the semi-autonomous Chinese territory for more than five months. AP

Supporters of local candidate Kelvin Lam celebrate, after it was announced he won the local council elections in his district, at a polling station in the South Horizons West district in Hong Kong, China November 25, 2019. Reuters

Pro-democracy candidate Jimmy Sham, campaigns in Hong Kong, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019. Long lines snaked around plazas and extended for blocks as citizens of the semi-autonomous Chinese territory turned out in droves Sunday for an election seen as a test of public support for anti-government protests that have persisted for more than five months. AP

Protesters hold up their hands to symbolize pro-democracy demonstrators' five demands during a demonstration in the financial district in Hong Kong, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019. AP

Residents hold up their hands to represent their five demands and chant "Pass the bill, save Hong Kong" at the IFC mall in Hong Kong on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2019. AP

Office workers gather in support of pro-democracy protesters during a lunch break rally in the Central district of Hong Kong on November 22, 2019. AFP

In this photo taken Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019, district council candidate Cathy Yau distributes flyers to pedestrians during her campaign at Causeway Bay in Hong Kong. Yau. a former police officer, grew exasperated as police used more force to quell the unrest. She quit the force in July after 11 years and is running in Sunday's district polls that are widely expected to deliver a decisive victory for the six-month-old movement seeking democratic reforms in the semi-autonomous Chinese territory. AP

Pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong, left, campaigns with local election candidate Kelvin Lam, right, in Hong Kong, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019. Chanting "No more tear gas," dozens of Hong Kong families with young children are marching to oppose the government's handling of protests on the eve of keenly contested local elections. AP

Clarisse Yeung of the KICKSTART Wan Chai party canvases for votes in the Tai Hang constituency in Hong Kong Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019. Sunday's low-level polls for district councillor have emerged as a pivotal bellwether on public support for increasingly violent protests, that had disrupted life in Asia's top financial hub for months. AP

A man campaigns for Susi Law, a candidate in Sunday?s district council elections in Hong Kong, China November 23, 2019. Reuters

Voters queue outside a polling station during district council local elections in Hong Kong, China November 24, 2019. Reuters

People line up to vote outside of a polling place in Hong Kong, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019. Voting was underway Sunday in Hong Kong elections that have become a barometer of public support for anti-government protests now in their sixth month. AP

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam casts her vote at a polling station during district council local elections in Hong Kong, China November 24, 2019. Reuters

Pro-democracy activist and leader Joshua Wong (C), talks to media as he arrives to cast vote for the District Council Ordinary Election in Hong Kong, China, 24 November 2019. On 24 November 4.13 million registered electors will cast their votes for the 2019 District Council Ordinary Election. EPA

People line up to vote outside of a polling place in Hong Kong, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019. Long lines formed outside Hong Kong polling stations Sunday in elections that have become a barometer of public support for anti-government protests now in their sixth month. AP

An election worker checks his watch before closing the gate on a polling place in Kowloon City in Hong Kong, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019. AP

Election workers prepare to count votes at a polling station in Hong Kong, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019. Voters in Hong Kong turned out in droves on Sunday in district council elections seen as a barometer of public support for pro-democracy protests that have rocked the semi-autonomous Chinese territory for more than five months. AP

Supporters of pro-democracy candidate James Yu cheer after he won his seat in district council elections in Hong Kong, early Monday, Nov. 25, 2019. Vote counting was underway in Hong Kong on Sunday after a massive turnout in district council elections seen as a barometer of public support for pro-democracy protests that have rocked the semi-autonomous Chinese territory for more than five months. AP

Pro-democracy supporters celebrate after pro-Beijing politician Junius Ho lost his election in Hong Kong, early Monday, Nov. 25, 2019. AP

Pro-democracy supporters celebrate after pro-Beijing politician Junius Ho lost his election in Hong Kong, early Monday, Nov. 25, 2019. The pro-democracy opposition won a resounding victory in Hong Kong elections, according to media tallies, in a clear rebuke to city leader Carrie Lam and her handling of violent protests that have divided the Chinese territory. AP

A masked protester flash her smartphone bearing the words "Unblock Polytechnic University, release our people" as they gather near the University to urge authorities to release the remaining trapped protesters, in Hong Kong, Monday, Nov. 25, 2019. AP