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| Did Hong Kong Police Abuse Protesters? What Videos Show | Did Hong Kong Police Abuse Protesters? What Videos Show |
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| Dozens of people in Hong Kong say they were injured by the police during a mass demonstration in June against a contentious bill that would allow extraditions to mainland China. | Dozens of people in Hong Kong say they were injured by the police during a mass demonstration in June against a contentious bill that would allow extraditions to mainland China. |
| The New York Times reviewed hundreds of videos and photos posted online by witnesses, along with submissions to our WhatsApp tip line, to assess whether the Hong Kong police used excessive force. Experts at Amnesty International, a human rights group, helped examine the footage. We spoke to specialists in crowd control and interviewed more than two dozen protesters. | The New York Times reviewed hundreds of videos and photos posted online by witnesses, along with submissions to our WhatsApp tip line, to assess whether the Hong Kong police used excessive force. Experts at Amnesty International, a human rights group, helped examine the footage. We spoke to specialists in crowd control and interviewed more than two dozen protesters. |
| The videos show protesters being beaten by police officers, shot with riot-control ammunition, dragged on the ground and hit with tear gas during large-scale confrontations on June 12 near the headquarters of Hong Kong’s government. Their injuries included bruised ribs, broken fingers and respiratory problems. | The videos show protesters being beaten by police officers, shot with riot-control ammunition, dragged on the ground and hit with tear gas during large-scale confrontations on June 12 near the headquarters of Hong Kong’s government. Their injuries included bruised ribs, broken fingers and respiratory problems. |
| The authorities began to use force after a small group of protesters threw bricks, bottles and umbrellas at officers and attempted to push through rings of heavily armored police. | The authorities began to use force after a small group of protesters threw bricks, bottles and umbrellas at officers and attempted to push through rings of heavily armored police. |
| But the protests were largely peaceful, and human rights groups have denounced the actions of the police as excessive and illegal. The British government, which ruled Hong Kong until its handover to mainland China in 1997, has demanded an investigation. Hong Kong officials say police officers acted with restraint. | But the protests were largely peaceful, and human rights groups have denounced the actions of the police as excessive and illegal. The British government, which ruled Hong Kong until its handover to mainland China in 1997, has demanded an investigation. Hong Kong officials say police officers acted with restraint. |
| Here’s what the evidence shows. | Here’s what the evidence shows. |
| In several instances, police officers beat protesters who posed no apparent threat. | In several instances, police officers beat protesters who posed no apparent threat. |
| The video below shows Ng Ying-mo, 57, a retired mechanics instructor, walking within 12 yards of a police line outside government offices. He asks the police to stop provoking protesters. Then he begins yelling obscenities. | The video below shows Ng Ying-mo, 57, a retired mechanics instructor, walking within 12 yards of a police line outside government offices. He asks the police to stop provoking protesters. Then he begins yelling obscenities. |
| An officer aims a gun, which weapons experts said was likely loaded with balls containing pepper spray, in the direction of Mr. Ng. A gunshot is heard, and then Mr. Ng is on the ground, clutching his lower abdomen. Three officers pick him up and carry him away. | An officer aims a gun, which weapons experts said was likely loaded with balls containing pepper spray, in the direction of Mr. Ng. A gunshot is heard, and then Mr. Ng is on the ground, clutching his lower abdomen. Three officers pick him up and carry him away. |
| Mr. Ng had planned to go hiking on the day of the protests. But he grew emotional when he heard about tense standoffs between the riot police and young protesters, and decided to join in. | Mr. Ng had planned to go hiking on the day of the protests. But he grew emotional when he heard about tense standoffs between the riot police and young protesters, and decided to join in. |
| “I hoped to shield them at least for a while, so they wouldn’t face such danger,” Mr. Ng said. | “I hoped to shield them at least for a while, so they wouldn’t face such danger,” Mr. Ng said. |
| Mr. Ng, who suffers from lung cancer, said he fainted from the pain and woke up to the police dropping him on the ground. They continued to beat him, he said, ripping his T-shirt and shorts and leaving him with bruises. He was charged with participating in an unlawful assembly and released on bail. | Mr. Ng, who suffers from lung cancer, said he fainted from the pain and woke up to the police dropping him on the ground. They continued to beat him, he said, ripping his T-shirt and shorts and leaving him with bruises. He was charged with participating in an unlawful assembly and released on bail. |
| In the video below, a protester stands in the middle of the same road where Mr. Ng was injured. Suddenly, riot police rush toward him, pulling him to the ground and beating him. | In the video below, a protester stands in the middle of the same road where Mr. Ng was injured. Suddenly, riot police rush toward him, pulling him to the ground and beating him. |
| The man is taken to the sidewalk and forcefully handled by several officers. He was arrested on charges of participating in an unlawful assembly and obstructing the duties of a police officer, according to Icarus Wong, a member of Civil Rights Observer, an advocacy group that is assisting the man, who did not want to be identified. | The man is taken to the sidewalk and forcefully handled by several officers. He was arrested on charges of participating in an unlawful assembly and obstructing the duties of a police officer, according to Icarus Wong, a member of Civil Rights Observer, an advocacy group that is assisting the man, who did not want to be identified. |
| In another video, a man who is distributing water to protesters near the General Post Office is attacked by police. A group of at least eight police officers pepper sprays him, punches him and beats him with batons. He falls to the ground, and an officer puts him in a chokehold. The man was left with a scar under his left eye, according to his lawyer, Bond Ng, who declined to identify him. He was arrested and later released on bail, his lawyer said. | In another video, a man who is distributing water to protesters near the General Post Office is attacked by police. A group of at least eight police officers pepper sprays him, punches him and beats him with batons. He falls to the ground, and an officer puts him in a chokehold. The man was left with a scar under his left eye, according to his lawyer, Bond Ng, who declined to identify him. He was arrested and later released on bail, his lawyer said. |
| “This is basically an essay on how not to police a protest movement,” said Dr. Rohini Haar of Physicians for Human Rights, an advocacy organization. “Beating of unarmed protesters who are not posing any active threat” is a violation of law enforcement principles prescribed by the United Nations, she said. | “This is basically an essay on how not to police a protest movement,” said Dr. Rohini Haar of Physicians for Human Rights, an advocacy organization. “Beating of unarmed protesters who are not posing any active threat” is a violation of law enforcement principles prescribed by the United Nations, she said. |
| In the video below, protesters run from police outside the main entrance to Hong Kong’s Legislative Council. Florence Chan, a protester who had been singing hymns, falls to the ground amid the chaos. At least four officers begin to attack her with batons and shields. | In the video below, protesters run from police outside the main entrance to Hong Kong’s Legislative Council. Florence Chan, a protester who had been singing hymns, falls to the ground amid the chaos. At least four officers begin to attack her with batons and shields. |
| Ms. Chan said in an interview that she begged the officers to stop hitting her. “I thought they were going to beat me to death,” Ms. Chan said. She said she was left with bumps on her head, bruises on her arms and swollen feet. | Ms. Chan said in an interview that she begged the officers to stop hitting her. “I thought they were going to beat me to death,” Ms. Chan said. She said she was left with bumps on her head, bruises on her arms and swollen feet. |
| Experts said the police did not seem to have a legitimate reason to beat the protesters. | Experts said the police did not seem to have a legitimate reason to beat the protesters. |
| “The officers are using force when the person is already on the floor,” said Ara Marcen Naval, an arms control adviser at Amnesty International. “That’s abusive and certainly unlawful.” | “The officers are using force when the person is already on the floor,” said Ara Marcen Naval, an arms control adviser at Amnesty International. “That’s abusive and certainly unlawful.” |
| The police did not respond to a request for comment. Hong Kong officials have defended the police’s actions, describing officers as well trained and saying they acted with restraint. The police initially described the protests as a riot and accused the protesters of committing “life-threatening acts.” | The police did not respond to a request for comment. Hong Kong officials have defended the police’s actions, describing officers as well trained and saying they acted with restraint. The police initially described the protests as a riot and accused the protesters of committing “life-threatening acts.” |
| Even as many in Hong Kong denounce the police, others have defended their response. On Sunday, tens of thousands of people attended a rally in support of the police, with some holding signs praising the Hong Kong police as the “best in Asia.” | |
| The police and a government-appointed watchdog have promised an investigation, but protesters have called for an independent inquiry. | The police and a government-appointed watchdog have promised an investigation, but protesters have called for an independent inquiry. |
| The government has said that at least 81 people were injured in the June 12 demonstrations, though it has not specified how many were protesters or how they were hurt. Separately, the police have said 22 officers were injured. | The government has said that at least 81 people were injured in the June 12 demonstrations, though it has not specified how many were protesters or how they were hurt. Separately, the police have said 22 officers were injured. |
| Some of the most chaotic scenes took place at Citic Tower, a 33-story office building near the epicenter of the protests. Police used tear gas to attack protesters and confine them outside the tower’s main entrance, causing panic, videos show. | Some of the most chaotic scenes took place at Citic Tower, a 33-story office building near the epicenter of the protests. Police used tear gas to attack protesters and confine them outside the tower’s main entrance, causing panic, videos show. |
| Early on June 12, protesters set up barricades outside the tower. | Early on June 12, protesters set up barricades outside the tower. |
| Around 3 p.m., police officers surround the tower on both sides, firing tear gas. Trapped by the police and barricades, protesters rush toward the tower’s main entrance. | Around 3 p.m., police officers surround the tower on both sides, firing tear gas. Trapped by the police and barricades, protesters rush toward the tower’s main entrance. |
| Hundreds of people rush into the tower through a revolving door. The protesters who make it inside attempt to break open locked doors to allow more people through. The police continue to fire tear gas into the crowd of protesters, and it soon fills the building. | Hundreds of people rush into the tower through a revolving door. The protesters who make it inside attempt to break open locked doors to allow more people through. The police continue to fire tear gas into the crowd of protesters, and it soon fills the building. |
| Ivy Chan, 44, a volunteer who was assisting protesters outside the tower, said she saw people pounding on the doors of the tower, desperate to escape. | Ivy Chan, 44, a volunteer who was assisting protesters outside the tower, said she saw people pounding on the doors of the tower, desperate to escape. |
| “It was terrifying,” Ms. Chan, a bartender, said. “We kept telling people to calm down and asking the police to exercise restraint and to not shoot any more tear gas.” | “It was terrifying,” Ms. Chan, a bartender, said. “We kept telling people to calm down and asking the police to exercise restraint and to not shoot any more tear gas.” |
| International experts on the use of tear gas said the Hong Kong police had used it without a clear strategy, causing unnecessary panic and heightening the risk of casualties. They said the amount deployed was excessive, given that the demonstrators were largely peaceful. | International experts on the use of tear gas said the Hong Kong police had used it without a clear strategy, causing unnecessary panic and heightening the risk of casualties. They said the amount deployed was excessive, given that the demonstrators were largely peaceful. |
| “They’re actually inciting and causing what looks like a stampede,” Dr. Haar said. | “They’re actually inciting and causing what looks like a stampede,” Dr. Haar said. |
| As the protests escalated, Wu Chi-wai, a prominent Hong Kong lawmaker, wanted to have a word with the police. So he marched to the front lines of the protest, identifying himself as a lawmaker in a loud voice, and demanded to see a commander. | As the protests escalated, Wu Chi-wai, a prominent Hong Kong lawmaker, wanted to have a word with the police. So he marched to the front lines of the protest, identifying himself as a lawmaker in a loud voice, and demanded to see a commander. |
| As Mr. Wu, 56, moves toward the police, a commander in a white shirt directs another officer to fire tear gas, which lands a few meters behind Mr. Wu, videos show. Mr. Wu continues marching and a second canister is fired and lands much closer to him, catching fire upon impact. | As Mr. Wu, 56, moves toward the police, a commander in a white shirt directs another officer to fire tear gas, which lands a few meters behind Mr. Wu, videos show. Mr. Wu continues marching and a second canister is fired and lands much closer to him, catching fire upon impact. |
| Anna Feigenbaum, an expert on tear gas at Bournemouth University in Britain, said the officers appeared to use tear gas like a firearm. “It should never really be used to single out someone,” she said. | Anna Feigenbaum, an expert on tear gas at Bournemouth University in Britain, said the officers appeared to use tear gas like a firearm. “It should never really be used to single out someone,” she said. |
| Mr. Wu, chairman of the Hong Kong Democratic Party, said he posed no threat. “If they can blow tear gas on me,” he said, “that means they can blow tear gas everywhere.” | Mr. Wu, chairman of the Hong Kong Democratic Party, said he posed no threat. “If they can blow tear gas on me,” he said, “that means they can blow tear gas everywhere.” |
| Ali Li, a 21-year-old university student, thought the protests over the extradition bill might get turbulent. But she did not anticipate that she would leave the demonstrations with bruises covering her body, a painful finger injury and cuts on her forehead. | Ali Li, a 21-year-old university student, thought the protests over the extradition bill might get turbulent. But she did not anticipate that she would leave the demonstrations with bruises covering her body, a painful finger injury and cuts on her forehead. |
| As the police ordered protesters to leave an area near the Hong Kong Legislature, Ms. Li tripped on a barricade and lost her balance. Suddenly, at least four officers surrounded her and grabbed her arms, trying to subdue her. She fell to the ground and the police fired pepper spray at her face, she said. | As the police ordered protesters to leave an area near the Hong Kong Legislature, Ms. Li tripped on a barricade and lost her balance. Suddenly, at least four officers surrounded her and grabbed her arms, trying to subdue her. She fell to the ground and the police fired pepper spray at her face, she said. |
| Ms. Li said she was dragged for more than 150 meters by the police into the offices of the legislature. She screamed along the way. | Ms. Li said she was dragged for more than 150 meters by the police into the offices of the legislature. She screamed along the way. |
| “They treated me like a dead object,” Ms. Li said in an interview. “They have lost their sanity.” | “They treated me like a dead object,” Ms. Li said in an interview. “They have lost their sanity.” |
| Ms. Li was arrested on charges of participating in an unlawful assembly and released after about two hours, she said. She stopped protesting because she said she was too afraid of the police. “Even now,” she said, “I feel so scared.” | Ms. Li was arrested on charges of participating in an unlawful assembly and released after about two hours, she said. She stopped protesting because she said she was too afraid of the police. “Even now,” she said, “I feel so scared.” |
| Katherine Li and Ezra Cheung contributed reporting from Hong Kong, and John Ismay contributed reporting from Washington. | Katherine Li and Ezra Cheung contributed reporting from Hong Kong, and John Ismay contributed reporting from Washington. |
| Produced by Malachy Browne, Gillian Wong, Josh Keller and Sammi Zheng. | Produced by Malachy Browne, Gillian Wong, Josh Keller and Sammi Zheng. |
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| Videos: Truth Media Hong Kong, via YouTube; SocREC, via YouTube; Campus TV: HKUSU; Joel Christian via Periscope; Apple Daily Hong Kong; Reuters; The Associated Press; RFA Live; Lee Cobaj via Twitter; we are hong kong via YouTube; Jimmy Choi via Twitter; FTVV; and Rice Post | Videos: Truth Media Hong Kong, via YouTube; SocREC, via YouTube; Campus TV: HKUSU; Joel Christian via Periscope; Apple Daily Hong Kong; Reuters; The Associated Press; RFA Live; Lee Cobaj via Twitter; we are hong kong via YouTube; Jimmy Choi via Twitter; FTVV; and Rice Post |
| Photos: Apple Daily Hong Kong | Photos: Apple Daily Hong Kong |