The rise and fall of Japan's July 1st protests

As observed on 23rd April, 2021, the graffiti has been removed off a fence in Hong Kong's financial district, the site of many 2019 protests in Hong Kong. (File photo: AP)

Pro-democracy lawmaker Andrew Wan, was detained by police officers after being sprayed with pepper spray during the annual handover march in Hong Kong on 1st July 2020. (File photo: AP)

Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai, right, stands next to democratic lawmaker Lam Cheuk-ting, during a fund-raising event before the annual July 1 handover march in Hong Kong, 2020. (File photo: AP)

A poster of Chinese President Xi Jinping with his eyes blocked by words 'Not my president' is seen as thousands of protesters march along a downtown street during an annual pro-democracy protest in Hong Kong on 1st July 2018. (File photo: AP)

Jimmy Lai who founded the Apple Daily, is escorted by Correctional Services officers to get on a prison van before appearing in a court in Hong Kong on 12th December 2020. (File photo: AP)

A protester breaks a glass wall as they try to enter the Legislative Council in Hong Kong on 1st July 2019. (File photo: AP)

A reporter falls after being sprayed with pepper spray by police during a protest in Causeway Bay during the annual handover march in Hong Kong on 1st July 2020. (File photo: AP)

Pro-democracy activists Leung Kwok-hung, known as 'Long Hair,' left, and Lee Cheuk-yan raise their hands as they are escorted by Correctional Services officers to a prison van for a court in Hong Kong on 28th May 2021. (File photo: AP)

A protester holds placards which read “Carrie Lam step down, revoke evil law, investigate police” during a rally on the 22nd anniversary of the former British colony's return to China on 1st July 2019. (File photo: AP)

Protesters against the new national security law march and gesture with five fingers, signifying the 'Five demands - not one less' on the anniversary of Hong Kong's handover to China from Britain in Hong Kong on 1st July 2020. (File photo: AP)

Police display a public announcement banner showing the warning to protesters in Causeway Bay before the annual handover march in Hong Kong on 1st July 2020. (File photo: AP)

Protesters raise Hong Kong colonial flags during a march in a downtown street at an annual pro-democracy protest in Hong Kong on 1st July 2013. (File photo: AP)

Thousands of protesters march along a downtown street during an annual pro-democracy protest in Hong Kong on July 1st 2018. (File photo: AP)