12 photos that show how Hong Kong protesters are wearing Winnie the Pooh, Guy Fawkes, and LeBron James masks to defy authority

Hong Kong protesters have been demonstrating since June against increased Chinese involvement in the semi-autonomous region.

The British colonized the area for 150 years. Since handing back the territory to China in 1997, the two governments agreed to allow Hong Kong to retain its own legal systems until 2047.

Source: Business Insider

Yet Beijing has tried to undermine Hong Kong’s sovereignty, resulting in various protests over the last decade, leading to the massive protests in Hong Kong.

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While the protests started out as mostly nonviolent, they have recently become more dangerous. In early October, police said they used live rounds for the first time and shot an activist. Separately, a protester threw acid on an officer.

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Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam banned face masks shortly after in effort to de-escalate the conflict. Lam said masks have been used to promote "radical behavior" among protesters.

Source: DW

Anyone breaching the law could face one year in prison and 25,000 Hong Kong dollars (or $3,200 in the US).

Source: DW

Protesters have used characters like Winnie the Pooh and Pepe the Frog to drum up more media attention to the protest, the Associated Press reported.

Source: Hong Kong Free Press

Masked protesters also formed a human chain around parts of the city Friday night.

Source: AP

Some protesters have worn masks of NBA star LeBron James. James escalated the conflict in October after he called a pro-Hong Kong tweet by an NBA executive "misinformed."

Source: Business Insider

After Houston Rockets owner Daryl Morey tweeted his support for Hong Kong protesters, several Chinese businesses suspended operations with the basketball league. James said Morey did not consider the "financial" ramifications of his words.

Source: Business Insider

Others donned masks depicting Chinese President Xi Jinping in effort to mock the communist leader.

Source: Hong Kong Free Press

Protesters on Friday night chanted, "I have every right to wear a mask," and sang a protest anthem.

Source: The Guardian