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Hong Kong police fire live rounds into the air during clashes over plan to close street markets Hong Kong police fire live rounds during clashes with protesters
(about 7 hours later)
Hong Kong is reeling after a rare night of violence during which protesters and riot police clashed on the streets, resulting in bloodshed and mass arrests. Hong Kong was left reeling after a night of violence during which protesters and riot police clashed on the streets, resulting in bloodshed and mass arrests.
Police fired live warning shots into the air as protestors and activists set fire to rubbish bins and threw stones at officers in the worst episode of unrest in Hong Kong since pro-democracy protests rocked the city in 2014. Police fired live warning shots into the air as demonstrators and activists set fire to rubbish bins and threw stones at officers in the worst episode of unrest since pro-democracy protests rocked the city in 2014.
The choatic scenes on first night of the Lunar New Year were prompted by a government decision to clear a central Hong Kong market of unlicensed food hawkers. The choatic scenes on first night of the lunar new year were prompted by a government decision to clear a central Hong Kong market of unlicensed food hawkers.
It's getting serious pic.twitter.com/OHYlkJJJAHIt's getting serious pic.twitter.com/OHYlkJJJAH
Night-time street markets are a common sight in many Hong Kong neighbourhoods, especially at holiday time, but due to “safety concerns” the government recently decided to phase them out. Night-time street markets are a common sight in many Hong Kong neighbourhoods, especially at holiday time, but the government recently decided to phase them out, citing safety concerns.
Protesters had announced a rally in support of foodsellers in Mongkok Market against the order to clear the market, which follows a government decision to implement a city-wide crackdown on street food vendors. Protesters had announced a rally in support of foodsellers against the order to clear Mongkok market, which follows a government decision to implement a city-wide crackdown on street food vendors.
The clashes erupted at 10pm, as police in riot gear prepared to move the vendors, citing the unsuccessful attempts by food and environment officers to eliminate vendors from the streets. The clashes erupted at 10pm, as police in riot gear prepared to move the vendors. The already-tense situation escalated as some of the more radical “localist” political groups that emerged after the 2014 Umbrella Movement announced on Facebook that they would join the rally.
The already-tense situation escalated as some of the more radical “localist” political groups that have emerged after the 2014 Umbrella Movement announced on Facebook that they would take part in the rally to protect the street food vendors. During the clashes, police armed with batons and hand-held water cannon fired live gunshots into the air and used pepper spray as protesters overturned and set alight rubbish bins and other debris, shattered car windows and threw stones at officers.
During the clashes, police fired live gunshots into the air, wielded batons and hand-held water cannons and used pepper spray as protesters overturned and set alight rubbish bins and other debris, shattered car windows and threw stones at the police.
TVB/Now TV captured this. At least two shots fired - most people who saw said were shot at air pic.twitter.com/aW6UihEuL6TVB/Now TV captured this. At least two shots fired - most people who saw said were shot at air pic.twitter.com/aW6UihEuL6
During the night, at least 24 people were arrested, while 44 policemen and members of the press were reportedly injured. It was not immediately known how many protesters were injured. As traffic started to resume in the early hours of Tuesday morning, many crossroads remained blocked by police and protesters cordons, and some fires continued burning unabated. At least 24 people were arrested overnight, while 44 policemen and reporters were reportedly injured. It was not known how many protesters were injured. As traffic started to resume in the early hours of Tuesday morning, many crossroads remained blocked by police and protesters’ cordons and fires continued burning.
some fires still smoulder at intersections of HK's most densely populated district but streets largely empty pic.twitter.com/6tct0QsQy3some fires still smoulder at intersections of HK's most densely populated district but streets largely empty pic.twitter.com/6tct0QsQy3
Further arrests took place in the morning, as protesters were leaving the scene and the police regained control of the area.Further arrests took place in the morning, as protesters were leaving the scene and the police regained control of the area.
#NEWSGRAPHIC Police in #HongKong fire shots, teargas in overnight rioting after trying to shift street hawkers @AFP pic.twitter.com/HWoKhp1ug8#NEWSGRAPHIC Police in #HongKong fire shots, teargas in overnight rioting after trying to shift street hawkers @AFP pic.twitter.com/HWoKhp1ug8
On Twitter and Facebook, the protest and ensuing clashes were nicknamed #fishballrevolution or #魚蛋個革命, referring to the name of one of Hong Kong’s favourite snacks, available at food stalls. On Twitter and Facebook, the protest and ensuing clashes were nicknamed #fishballrevolution or #魚蛋個革命, referring to the name of one of Hong Kong’s favourite snacks.
#fishballrevolution #mongkok pic.twitter.com/UpPng6b7jn#fishballrevolution #mongkok pic.twitter.com/UpPng6b7jn
By 9am, squads of cleaners had been sent in to start cleaning up the streets, under heavy police guard. By 9am, squads of cleaners had been sent in to start clearing the streets under heavy police guard.
The violent clashes will be looked upon with growing concern by the central authorities in Beijing, who have so far encouraged the Hong Kong government to take a no-compromise attitude to the growing number of protests that have taken place over the past few years.The violent clashes will be looked upon with growing concern by the central authorities in Beijing, who have so far encouraged the Hong Kong government to take a no-compromise attitude to the growing number of protests that have taken place over the past few years.