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 5 Version 6
Hong Kong protester shot by police amid citywide clashes Hong Kong protester shot by police amid citywide clashes
(about 2 hours 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. Two people are in critical condition in Hong Kong after another day of protests and violent clashes between anti-government protesters and police that left more than 60 people injured.
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. A police officer shot an unarmed 21-year-old male university student in the stomach as demonstrators attempted to disrupt the Monday morning rush hour as part of a day of planned protests and strikes. Later in the day, a middle-aged man was doused in a flammable liquid and set on fire after arguing with protesters. Both the student and the man were in critical condition, according to Hong Kong’s Hospital Authority.
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 two incidents, both captured on video, come after the death of a protester on Friday who succumbed to injuries sustained after falling from a car park during a police dispersal of demonstrators – . It was the first death directly linked to police action.
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 shooting and the immolation, following closely after the death, could mark a turning point in five months of protests, which have grown increasingly violent.
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. 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. Some demonstrators have also grown increasingly violent, mobbing and beating critics and others they believe to be mainland spies.
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. “With both sides digging in, the conflict is likely to escalate,” said Ho-Fung Hung, a professor in political economy and chair of the department of sociology at Johns Hopkins University.
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. “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,” he said. “A war has started.”
The shooting, captured by local media Cupid Producer, showed a police officer struggling to subdue a protester firing three live rounds at nearby demonstrators. One protester, shot at close range in the torso, fell to the ground and was seen lying in a pool of blood. He appeared to be conscious and later attempted to run from police but was quickly caught.
The police said the officer had shot the demonstrator to prevent him from grabbing his revolver. “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,” a spokesman said, stressing that all officers must justify any use of force.
Footage of the man who was set on fire emerged in the afternoon, as protesters in various locations lit fires, vandalised public transit stations and traffic lights, and hurled petrol bombs at police.
Video showed a man yelling “You are not Chinese!” at a group of young people on an overpass in Ma On Shan in Hong Kong’s New Territories. Someone appears to lunge forward, pouring liquid over the man before setting him alight.
Skirmishes broke out throughout Hong Kong on Monday as the police fired teargas and pepper spray and aimed their firearms at residents and demonstrators in multiple locations, including Hong Kong’s central business district.
In one incident, a police officer on a motorbike drove weaved in and out of a crowd of protesters on a road before hitting one, dragging the demonstrator along the road. The police later said the officer had been suspended and the incident would be investigated.
“Hong Kong police gone nuts,” the pro-democracy lawmaker Claudia Mo tweeted alongside a video of the scene. “They seem to truly think they’re above the law. This has been almost like Tiananmen Square in slow motion.”
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.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.” The police later said the officer had been suspended and the incident would be investigated. Demonstrators faced off with riot police outside of universities, seen as havens over recent months by protesters, many of them students. Demonstrators at Polytechnic University threw petrol bombs at police and set a barricade made out of ladders and noticeboards on fire in a huge blaze later put out by firefighters.
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. 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. The MTR said a protester had thrown two petrol bombs into a carriage carrying commuters.
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 postponed classes on Monday, three universities cancelled classes on Tuesday as well in view of “escalating tension and unrest”.
After several schools postponed classes on Monday, two universities cancelled classes as a result of “escalating tension and unrest”. At a “citizens’ press conference” organised by protesters, there were calls for indefinite mass strikes.
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. Speaking to reporters, Hong Kong’s chief executive, Carrie Lam, said: “If there is still any wishful thinking that by escalating violence the government will yield to pressure… I am making this clear and loud here. That will not happen.”
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, 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.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. 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. The Hong Kong government has repeatedly said that an inquiry by Hong Kong’s police watchdog, the Independent Police Complaints Council, would suffice. But last week, a panel of experts appointed to advise the council said the watchdog lacked the authority and resources to effectively conduct an investigation.
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 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.
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 be mainly comprised of patriots,” he said.