This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/nov/11/hong-kong-police-shoot-demonstrator-during-morning-rush-hour

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Hong Kong protester shot by police amid citywide clashes Hong Kong protester shot by police amid citywide clashes
(about 1 hour later)
Man in critical condition after officers fire teargas and pepper spray at demonstratorsMan in critical condition after officers fire teargas and pepper spray at demonstrators
Hong Kong police have shot at least one protester as anti-government demonstrators vandalised property and clashed with police in outbreaks of violence throughout the city.Hong Kong police have shot at least one protester as anti-government demonstrators vandalised property and clashed with police in outbreaks of violence throughout the city.
In video captured by local media on Monday, a police officer struggling to subdue a protester fired three live rounds at demonstrators in Sai Wan Ho in north-eastern Hong Kong. One demonstrator, who did not appear to be armed, was shot at close range in the torso and crumpled to the ground. He appeared to be conscious and later attempted to run from police but was quickly caught. In video captured by local media on Monday, a police officer struggling to subdue a protester fired three live rounds at demonstrators in Sai Wan Ho in north-eastern Hong Kong. One demonstrator, who did not appear to be armed, was shot at close range in the torso and fell to the ground. He appeared to be conscious and later attempted to run from police but was quickly caught.
Hong Kong’s Hospital Authority said it had received one patient with a gunshot wound, a 21-year-old who remained in critical condition. Local media reported that the demonstrator had undergone surgery. Hong Kong’s Hospital Authority said it had received one patient with a gunshot wound, a 21-year-old university student who remained in critical condition. Local media reported that the demonstrator had undergone surgery.
The government confirmed a police officer had discharged his service revolver and that a man had been shot. Defending the police’s use of firearms, it said: “Police have strict guidelines and orders regarding the use of firearms. All police officers are required to justify their enforcement actions.” The police later said the officer had shot the demonstrator to prevent him from grabbing his revolver. A spokesperson said: “When a police officer uses force he has to consider the consequences. Remember, the police force faces a lot of life-threatening situations … A police officer has to protect himself.”
The video, taken by Cupid Producer, was broadcast live online after protesters blocked roads and public transit stations in an attempt to disrupt the morning rush hour. Demonstrators had called for a day of strikes, after the death of a student protester on Friday, who fell from a car park during a demonstration. The video, taken by Cupid Producer, was broadcast live online after protesters blocked roads and public transit stations in an attempt to disrupt the morning rush-hour. Demonstrators had called for a day of strikes after the death on Friday of a student protester, who fell from a car park during a demonstration.
The shooting escalated already high tensions as skirmishes broke out throughout Hong Kong on Monday. The police fired teargas and pepper spray and aimed their firearms at residents and demonstrators in multiple locations as protesters blocked roads, lit fires, and hurled objects at officers.The shooting escalated already high tensions as skirmishes broke out throughout Hong Kong on Monday. The police fired teargas and pepper spray and aimed their firearms at residents and demonstrators in multiple locations as protesters blocked roads, lit fires, and hurled objects at officers.
Police were investigating reports that a man had been set on fire while arguing with protesters. A video showed a middle-aged man yelling at a group of young people: “You are not Chinese!” As the group argues, someone lunges forward, dousing the man in a liquid and setting him alight. Police said they were investigating reports that a middle-aged man was set on fire after arguing with protesters. A video showed a man yelling at a group of young people: “You are not Chinese!” A member of the group appears to lunge forward, dousing the man in a liquid before setting him alight. Hong Kong’s Hospital Authority said it had received a 57-year-old patient with burns, who was in critical condition.
In Sai Wan Ho, a woman rushed at the police after the shooting and was subdued as residents called the officers “murderers”. Some threw plastic crates at the police, who pepper-sprayed the angry crowd. In Sai Wan Ho, a woman rushed at the police after the shooting and was subdued as residents called the officers “murderers”. Some threw plastic crates at the police, who pepper-sprayed the crowd.
“Hong Kong police gone nuts,” the pro-democracy lawmaker Claudia Mo tweeted alongside a video appearing to show a police officer on a motorcycle driving into protesters. “They seem to truly think they’re above the law. This has been almost like Tiananmen Square in slow motion.” “Hong Kong police gone nuts,” the pro-democracy lawmaker Claudia Mo tweeted alongside a video appearing to show a police officer on a motorcycle driving into protesters. “They seem to truly think they’re above the law. This has been almost like Tiananmen Square in slow motion.” The police later said the officer had been suspended and the incident would be investigated.
Others criticised how police handled the injured demonstrator. The protester lay on the ground in a pool of blood as officers cuffed his hands behind his back and flipped him over. Others criticised how police handled the injured demonstrator. The protester lay on the ground in a pool of blood as officers cuffed his hands behind his back and turned him over.
Riot police fired teargas in Hong Kong’s central business district, prompting more demonstrators to gather. By mid-afternoon, thousands of protesters were blocking roads and marching toward the seat of the government, chanting: “Fight for Hong Kong, stand with Hong Kong!”Riot police fired teargas in Hong Kong’s central business district, prompting more demonstrators to gather. By mid-afternoon, thousands of protesters were blocking roads and marching toward the seat of the government, chanting: “Fight for Hong Kong, stand with Hong Kong!”
After several schools called off classes on Monday, two universities cancelled classes as a result of “escalating tension and unrest”. After several schools postponed classes on Monday, two universities cancelled classes as a result of “escalating tension and unrest”.
Earlier, police said protesters had blocked the Cross Harbour tunnel, linking Kowloon to Hung Hom. Several mass transit railway (MTR) lines were delayed or suspended as some protesters smashed gates at stations. Demonstrators also vandalised traffic lights, and the MTR said a protester had thrown two petrol bombs into a carriage carrying commuters.Earlier, police said protesters had blocked the Cross Harbour tunnel, linking Kowloon to Hung Hom. Several mass transit railway (MTR) lines were delayed or suspended as some protesters smashed gates at stations. Demonstrators also vandalised traffic lights, and the MTR said a protester had thrown two petrol bombs into a carriage carrying commuters.
Monday marks the third time police have shot demonstrators with live rounds. In the two previous cases officers claimed they fired in self defence and the demonstrators, both teenagers, recovered. At a “citizens’ press conference” organised by protesters, some called for massive strikes to be carried out indefinitely. Monday’s incident is the third time police have shot demonstrators with live rounds. In the two previous cases, officers claimed they fired in self defence and the demonstrators, both teenagers, recovered. At a “citizens’ press conference” organised by protesters, there were calls for indefinite mass strikes.
Hong Kong faces its most serious political crisis in decades as protests, initially over an extradition bill that would send suspects to mainland China, have taken on new demands, chief among them an independent investigation into alleged police brutality. Hong Kong faces its most serious political crisis in decades as protests, which began in response to an extradition bill that would send suspects to mainland China, have taken on new demands, chief among them an independent investigation into alleged police brutality.
Public mistrust of the police has reached a new level, after the death on Friday of a 22-year old demonstrator who died from injuries sustained earlier in the week when he fell one storey in a car park during a protest. In the days after his death, demonstrators vandalised restaurants and stores seen by protesters as pro-government, hurled petrol bombs and bricks a police and a police station. Public mistrust of the police has reached a new level, after the death on Friday of a 22-year old demonstrator who died from injuries sustained earlier in the week when he fell one storey in a car park. In the days after his death, demonstrators vandalised restaurants and stores seen by protesters as pro-government, hurled petrol bombs and bricks a police and a police station.
Experts believe Monday’s shooting has raised the stakes of the protest movement, now entering its sixth month. Experts believe Monday’s shooting has raised the stakes of the protest movement, which is entering its sixth month.
“With this televised shooting of an unarmed protesters point blank … the militant protesters would believe more firmly they have to fight back by any means necessary, and the public opinion will be further against the police and the government,” said Ho-Fung Hung, a professor in political economy and chair of the department of sociology at Johns Hopkins University.“With this televised shooting of an unarmed protesters point blank … the militant protesters would believe more firmly they have to fight back by any means necessary, and the public opinion will be further against the police and the government,” said Ho-Fung Hung, a professor in political economy and chair of the department of sociology at Johns Hopkins University.
“With both sides digging in, the conflict is likely to escalate. Large turnout of recent peaceful rally shows that the movement has not yet worn out as the government hopes,” he said. “A war has started.”“With both sides digging in, the conflict is likely to escalate. Large turnout of recent peaceful rally shows that the movement has not yet worn out as the government hopes,” he said. “A war has started.”
The protests also pose a direct challenge to the “one country, two systems” framework under which Beijing maintains control over Hong Kong. Demonstrators are also demanding the right to elect their own leader without interference from Beijing.The protests also pose a direct challenge to the “one country, two systems” framework under which Beijing maintains control over Hong Kong. Demonstrators are also demanding the right to elect their own leader without interference from Beijing.
But China has shown no sign it is willing to make such concessions. Zhang Xiaoming, China’s top official overseeing Hong Kong affairs, said on Saturday that Beijing would ensure only those loyal to the central government would serve as leader. China has shown no sign it is willing to make such concessions. Zhang Xiaoming, China’s top official overseeing Hong Kong affairs, said on Saturday that Beijing would ensure only those loyal to the central government would serve as leader.
“The administrative, legislative, and judicial organs of the Hong Kong special administrative region must all be comprised of patriots,” he said.“The administrative, legislative, and judicial organs of the Hong Kong special administrative region must all be comprised of patriots,” he said.