"We demand the government release our man," read one banner.

"Listen to people who know them best," read a banner behind the podium.

The banner he wants to carry into battle reads "60 percent support."

"We waited a long time for you," read one banner.

"Now we are finally free," read one banner waved by a middle-aged woman.

The banner read "Global warming kills more people than 9/11 every week."

A banner across the front gates read 'The house that dripped blood'.

For about a minute, the protesters stood in front of the camera holding banners reading "Stop watching, get out into the streets."

"The blood of the democracy martyrs is spread over the Chinese land," read one huge black and white banner.

One banner in the demonstration today read "So isn't it the street that governs?"