WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., Senate Republican Deputy Whip, and U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., Senate President Pro Tempore,  today issued the following joint statement regarding the ongoing pro-democracy demonstrations in Hong Kong:

“We are distressed by the use of tear gas, pepper spray, and other such methods against peaceful demonstrators in Hong Kong. We urge the Hong Kong authorities to show restraint and engage in good-faith negotiations to resolve the situation.  Hong Kong’s position as Asia’s ‘world city’ is rooted in fundamental rights, including freedoms of peaceful assembly, expression, and the press. As democratically elected members of the United States Senate we stand united with the people of Hong Kong and support their aspirations for universal suffrage and full democracy.”