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Hong Kong: protesters converge on financial centre after day of unprecedented violence Hong Kong: police fire teargas and protesters hurl petrol bombs as violence escalates
(about 5 hours later)
Universities and schools closed and officers deployed to metro stations after police shooting and man set on fire while arguing with protesters Universities and schools close after police shoot protester and man is set on fire
Thousands of demonstrators have converged on Hong Kong’s central business district, blocking roads and facing off with riot police as anti-government protests brought parts of the city to a standstill for a second day in a row. Riot police have fired teargas on anti-government demonstrators gathered in Hong Kong’s central business district and several universities, as protests paralysed the city for a second day in a row.
Black-clad demonstrators joined by what appeared to be office workers on their lunch hour marched along main roads, holding up outstretched hands to signal the five demands of the protesters. Some crouched behind umbrellas in Central, advancing toward riot police, who held up signs warning they would fire on the crowd. Protesters built street barricades, set fires and threw petrol bombs, chairs and other objects at police on Tuesday during another day of strikes demanding greater democracy in the Chinese territory.
Tuesday’s protests, at universities and locations across the city, come after violence reached a new peak on Monday in amid citywide strikes that resulted in at least 128 people receiving treatment in hospital. Among those was a 21-year-old demonstrator shot at close range in the torso by police. A 57 year old man seen arguing with protesters was also doused in flammable liquid and lit on fire, in a case police have deemed attempted murder. Tuesday’s protests came after violence reached a new peak on Monday in clashes in which at least 128 people were injured. The condition of a 21-year-old male student shot at close range by police in the torso was said to be improving but a 57-year-old man, seen arguing with protesters, who was doused in flammable liquid and set on fire, remained in a critical condition. Police made at least 280 arrests, most of them of students.
Demonstrators have called for another day of strikes on Tuesday, as the Chinese territory enters its sixth month of political unrest that observers worry will only escalate. Residents described a city stunned by the previous day’s violence. “You had the feeling going out into the city this morning that the system is at the breaking point. The government and police can’t manage it,” said Kong Tsung-gan, a writer and activist.
Riot police fired tear gas at protesters at City University in Kowloon Tong while demonstrators threw rocks on train tracks in Shatin, disrupting public transit and forcing commuters to walk. In Central, some protesters vandalised street lights and others threw objects at police vans. In the afternoon, thousands of demonstrators, including black-clad protesters as well as what appeared to be office workers, converged on Hong Kong’s central business district and held up outstretched hands to signal their five demands.
On Tuesday, some railway services were suspended, while shops and roads were closed, causing traffic jams. Several universities and some secondary and primary schools cancelled classes. Some crouched behind umbrellas in the business district, advancing toward riot police. After a crowd began to heckle officers, calling them “murderers” and “rapists”, in reference to a recent rape allegation made by a protester, police fired multiple rounds of teargas.
The political crisis has entered a new phase following the death of a demonstrator on Friday, who succumbed to injuries sustained when he fell during a protest in what was the first death linked to police action. Riot police also fired teargas at protesters at two universities, as protesters lit barricades and set a car on fire. A spokesman for the city’s mass transit railway said demonstrators had thrown petrol bombs, bicycles and other objects on to the tracks at several stations, stopping some services. Several universities and some schools cancelled classes. Some have also suspended teaching on Wednesday.
More than 3,000 people have been arrested since the protests began in June, initially triggered by a bill that would allow the extradition of suspects in Hong Kong to mainland China. Of those, more than 260 were arrested on Monday. Hong Kong has entered its sixth month of political unrest and observers worry it will only escalate further. More than 3,000 people have been arrested since the protests began in June, initially triggered by a bill that would have allowed the extradition of suspects in Hong Kong to mainland China.
Hong Kong’s leader Carrie Lam on Tuesday called the protesters “extremely selfish” for paralysing the city. On Monday, in a special address to media she described the protesters as enemies of the people and slammed “any wishful thinking” of protesters that escalating tactics would push the government to concede to their demands. At Hong Kong University, academics pleaded with student demonstrators to rethink their methods. “What is happening here is not sustainable,” said Matthew Evans, dean of the university’s faculty of science. “What happens is the police come. There is a fight. People get arrested. Then tomorrow it starts all over again … There’s not an end.”
At Hong Kong University, academics pleaded with students, who make up the bulk of the demonstrators, to rethink their methods. “What is happening here is not sustainable,” said Matthew Evans, dean of the university’s faculty of science. “What happens is the police come. There is a fight. People get arrested. Then tomorrow it starts all over again … There’s not an end.” On Tuesday, Hong Kong’s leader, Carrie Lam, called the protesters “extremely selfish” for paralysing the city. On Monday, she said they were enemies of the people and slammed “any wishful thinking” that their escalating tactics would push the government to accede to their demands.
The United States expressed “grave concern” over the situation and called for restraint by both the police and government and the protesters. But protesters say the government has refused to listen to the public, which has largely supported the protesters, who are demanding an independent inquiry into police behaviour as well as the implementation of universal suffrage.
The protesters are demanding an independent investigation into police behaviour over the course of the protests, as well as the implementation of universal suffrage to allow Hongkongers the right to elect their own leader and representatives. The political crisis has entered a new phase since the death of a demonstrator on Friday who fell from a parking lot. It was the first death linked to police action.
But Beijing, which has authority over Hong Kong as part of the “one country two systems” framework established when the former British colony was handed over to Chinese control, has signalled no willingness to concede. Observers fear recent violence will push both sides to dig in further.
On Tuesday, the state-run Global Times described the protesters in Hong Kong as “no different from terrorists like Islamic State”. Addressing the Hong Kong police, the editorial stressed the readiness of the People’s Liberation Army and police force to reinforce Hong Kong’s security forces when needed. In a press conference, police said that almost 50 areas across the city had been affected by protests over the last two days. The police blamed protesters for pushing Hong Kong to the “brink of total collapse” and urged residents not to support them.
“If anyone still finds excuses for the violence of rioters, we suggest they do some soul-searching,” said Kong Wing-cheung, head of the police’s public relations division. “You are indeed an accomplice.
“If anyone has any wishful thinking that they can achieve their so-called political demands by violence, please wake up.”
On Tuesday, the United States expressed “grave concern” over the situation and called for restraint by both the police and government and the protesters.
Beijing, which has authority over Hong Kong as part of the “one country, two systems” framework established when the former British colony was handed over to Chinese control, has signalled little willingness to compromise.
On Tuesday, the state-run Global Times described the protesters in Hong Kong as “no different from terrorists like Islamic State”. Addressing the Hong Kong police, the editorial stressed the readiness of the People’s Liberation Army and Chinese police to reinforce Hong Kong’s security forces when needed.
“Behind you are not only the people of Hong Kong and the whole country who love Hong Kong, but also the national armed police force and the troops stationed in Hong Kong.”“Behind you are not only the people of Hong Kong and the whole country who love Hong Kong, but also the national armed police force and the troops stationed in Hong Kong.”