Beijing (CNN) -- Families of Chinese passengers on board missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 have engaged in a rare late-night act of civil disobedience in this tightly-controlled city. After unsuccessfully demanding a meeting with the Malaysian ambassador at their hotel for more than eight hours, angry relatives pushed past police officers who tried to stop them from making a midnight march across the Chinese capital. Their destination: the Malaysian Embassy. "The ambassador kept saying he would come but he never showed," an elderly man told CNN as he and scores of others walked quietly through Beijing's streets. As has been the practice of many other Chinese passengers' next of kin, the man asked not to publish his name.
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MH370 families hold sit-in outside the Malaysian Embassy in Beijing
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Relatives marched from their hotel after request to meet Malaysian ambassador failed
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More than once in recent weeks Malaysian authorities have not shown up for talks with relatives
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NEW: China appeals to protesters to express concerns in "legal and rational way"
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Though vastly out-numbered by @placeholder security forces, the family members continued their stubborn vigil throughout the morning.
Malaysia Airlines Flight 370
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Families have organized committees, issued press releases, and printed t-shirts and hats with the slogan "Pray for @placeholder."
Malaysia Airlines Flight 370
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EXCLUSIVE: Malaysia to release @placeholder report, Prime Minister tells CNN