Hong Kong pro-democracy group downsizes amid crackdown Sign In July 10, 2021 FacebookTwitterEmail FILE - In this June 4, 2021, file photo, people hold LED candles to mark the anniversary of the military crackdown on a pro-democracy student movement in Beijing, outside Victoria Park in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, one of Hong Kong’s most established pro-democracy civic organizations said Saturday, July 10, it is letting go its paid staff and halving the size of its steering committee amid Beijing’s crackdown on opposition activity in the semi-autonomous Chinese city.Kin Cheung/AP HONG KONG (AP) — One of Hong Kong’s most established pro-democracy civic organizations said it is letting go its paid staff and halving the size of its steering committee after Beijing stepped up its crackdown on opposition activity in the semi-autonomous Chinese city.