HONG KONG -- More than 1.1 million Hong Kong residents have signed an online petition as of Monday morning, calling for an end to violence in Hong Kong.

The campaign, initiated by the Safeguard Hong Kong alliance in October, is aimed at voicing their opposition to violence by black-clad masked rioters, and rallying public support for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government and the police in stopping violence and restoring order.

PETITION AGAINST VIOLENCE

On Friday, Safeguard Hong Kong submitted a petition to the director of the HKSAR Chief Executive's Office.

Kennedy Wong, convener of the community group, said the escalating violence has discouraged many residents from standing up to speak out, and the online petition is to allow more residents to voice their demands.

"We hope it can gather the positive energy in Hong Kong, and bring together those who support the HKSAR government and the police," Wong said.

Hong Kong residents should first support the law enforcement agencies in curbing violence, he added.

The online petition also calls for the support of an anti-mask law, imposed by the HKSAR government last month in a bid to stop violence and chaos.

Hong Kong has been recently plagued by "black violence." The black-clad rioters ignore the anti-mask law and other laws, and continue to hide their identities, said an announcement issued by Safeguard Hong Kong on its website.

The rioters arbitrarily set fire to properties, robbed shops, smashed shopping malls, beat residents and tourists, and Hong Kong was plunged into "black terror," it said, adding that the work, study and life of Hong Kong residents are greatly affected.

"The achievements accumulated by several generations of Hong Kong people will be destroyed (by the rioters)," the announcement said.