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Hong Kong protesters try to advance on besieged university campus – live Hong Kong protesters try to advance on besieged university campus – live
(32 minutes later)
Chaotic scenes on outskirts of campus, as hundreds remain trapped insideChaotic scenes on outskirts of campus, as hundreds remain trapped inside
It’s approaching midnight in Hong Kong and we’re ending our live coverage, but will continue updating our news story as events unfold on one of the most dramatic days since mass protests broke out in the city more than five months ago.It’s approaching midnight in Hong Kong and we’re ending our live coverage, but will continue updating our news story as events unfold on one of the most dramatic days since mass protests broke out in the city more than five months ago.
Here is where things stand:Here is where things stand:
Hundreds of activists remain besieged inside the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), the site of intense clashes today between protesters – many trying to flee the campus after nearly a week inside – and the police determined to keep them holed up.Hundreds of activists remain besieged inside the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), the site of intense clashes today between protesters – many trying to flee the campus after nearly a week inside – and the police determined to keep them holed up.
Protesters have tried to rush the police cordons outside the university in an attempt to break the siege. Human chains have kept the crowds supplied with water, umbrellas and helmets as they have tried again and again to crack the police lines. Some are hurling petrol bombs, while police are returning fire with rubber bullets, teargas and water cannons. Protesters have tried to rush the police cordons outside the university in an attempt to break the siege. Human chains have kept the crowds supplied with water, umbrellas and helmets as they have tried repeatedly to crack the police lines. Some are hurling petrol bombs, while police are returning fire with rubber bullets, teargas and water cannon.
Hong Kong authorities have said the Red Cross is inside the campus and that those requiring hospitalisation will be permitted to leave.Hong Kong authorities have said the Red Cross is inside the campus and that those requiring hospitalisation will be permitted to leave.
As for the rest of the activists: “Other than coming out to surrender, I don’t see, at the moment, there is a viable option for them,” said Cheuk Hau-yip, regional commander of Kowloon West, in a press conference this evening. Those who are arrested risk being charged with rioting, which carries a maximum 10-year jail sentence.As for the rest of the activists: “Other than coming out to surrender, I don’t see, at the moment, there is a viable option for them,” said Cheuk Hau-yip, regional commander of Kowloon West, in a press conference this evening. Those who are arrested risk being charged with rioting, which carries a maximum 10-year jail sentence.
Parents of some of those trapped inside PolyU (who include around 100 secondary school students) are sitting down in front of the police cordon blocking access to the campus holding signs that read, “Save Our Kids”. Parents of some of those trapped inside PolyU (who include about 100 secondary school students) are sitting down in front of the police cordon blocking access to the campus holding signs that read, “Save Our Kids”.
Protesters are clashing with law enforcement in other parts of the city, partly as a tactic to draw police resources away from the blockaded university, giving activists there a chance to escape. Activists claim some students have managed to get out of the campus through an unguarded path. Footage shows some have escaped by rappelling down a footbridge and being whisked away by waiting motorcycles. It is unclear how many managed to get away safely.Protesters are clashing with law enforcement in other parts of the city, partly as a tactic to draw police resources away from the blockaded university, giving activists there a chance to escape. Activists claim some students have managed to get out of the campus through an unguarded path. Footage shows some have escaped by rappelling down a footbridge and being whisked away by waiting motorcycles. It is unclear how many managed to get away safely.
Administrators have warned the continued unrest might mean the postponement of district council elections scheduled for Sunday. That could further stoke the protesters, who see the polls as one of the few institutional mechanisms to voice their grievances and influence Hong Kong politics.Administrators have warned the continued unrest might mean the postponement of district council elections scheduled for Sunday. That could further stoke the protesters, who see the polls as one of the few institutional mechanisms to voice their grievances and influence Hong Kong politics.
Earlier today, protesters won a legal victory with the high court finding a law against wearing masks in public was unconstitutional. Police say they have already stopped enforcing that controversial law.Earlier today, protesters won a legal victory with the high court finding a law against wearing masks in public was unconstitutional. Police say they have already stopped enforcing that controversial law.
China’s ambassador to Britain, Liu Xiaoming, spoke to the media today at the country’s embassy in London. Patrick Wintour was there and filed this report.China’s ambassador to Britain, Liu Xiaoming, spoke to the media today at the country’s embassy in London. Patrick Wintour was there and filed this report.
We noted reports below of activists trying to escape the siege of Hong Kong Polytechnic University by abseiling down a footbridge. Footage has now been posted online. The reporter Michael Zhang says he saw up to 50 protesters escape this way, jumping on motorcycles waiting below, until police moved in with teargas and closed the route.We noted reports below of activists trying to escape the siege of Hong Kong Polytechnic University by abseiling down a footbridge. Footage has now been posted online. The reporter Michael Zhang says he saw up to 50 protesters escape this way, jumping on motorcycles waiting below, until police moved in with teargas and closed the route.
Seze Li, 26, a protester who is in PolyU, said protesters have been hiding in buildings throughout the campus, in offices and small spaces where they can barricade themselves in.Seze Li, 26, a protester who is in PolyU, said protesters have been hiding in buildings throughout the campus, in offices and small spaces where they can barricade themselves in.
“It’s a disaster,” she says. “Everyone is running around, looking for exits. We heard the protesters [trying to break the police siege] are coming. We are just waiting for them.”“It’s a disaster,” she says. “Everyone is running around, looking for exits. We heard the protesters [trying to break the police siege] are coming. We are just waiting for them.”
Some have escaped by climbing out of the building. “But not everyone can do that,” she says. “[The mood] is not just angry. It’s anxious and frightened. We are isolated here and people are afraid. We don’t know when the police will strike inside.”Some have escaped by climbing out of the building. “But not everyone can do that,” she says. “[The mood] is not just angry. It’s anxious and frightened. We are isolated here and people are afraid. We don’t know when the police will strike inside.”
Li said protesters have been watching the live streams and communicating with people outside trying to reach them, including their families. Now they have started to rally the protesters who have been hiding so they can prepare to join the protesters trying to reach the campus.Li said protesters have been watching the live streams and communicating with people outside trying to reach them, including their families. Now they have started to rally the protesters who have been hiding so they can prepare to join the protesters trying to reach the campus.
“Inside we are gathering protesters .… we are separated, hidden in offices and small rooms, just blocking ourselves in to hide from police. We are trying to find them all and say we will fight, and we will just walk outside.”“Inside we are gathering protesters .… we are separated, hidden in offices and small rooms, just blocking ourselves in to hide from police. We are trying to find them all and say we will fight, and we will just walk outside.”
Even by the standards of the five-month protest movement that has roiled Hong Kong, the scenes unfolding on the streets of the city this evening are remarkable.Even by the standards of the five-month protest movement that has roiled Hong Kong, the scenes unfolding on the streets of the city this evening are remarkable.
Protesters are pouring into the streets and streaming towards the cordons established by police around Hong Kong Polytechnic University, attempting to free the thousands of activists who are trapped inside the campus.Protesters are pouring into the streets and streaming towards the cordons established by police around Hong Kong Polytechnic University, attempting to free the thousands of activists who are trapped inside the campus.
The crowds appear to be coming from three sides surrounding the besieged university and are being met by teargas, rubber bullets, and cannons firing water mixed with blue dye – to stain demonstrators and make them easier to identify for arrest.The crowds appear to be coming from three sides surrounding the besieged university and are being met by teargas, rubber bullets, and cannons firing water mixed with blue dye – to stain demonstrators and make them easier to identify for arrest.
People are forming human chains to pass supplies including umbrellas, water and helmets to those at the front lines of the stand-off with police.People are forming human chains to pass supplies including umbrellas, water and helmets to those at the front lines of the stand-off with police.
The UK Foreign Office has just issued this statement calling for police to grant protesters safe passage out of Hong Kong university campuses:The UK Foreign Office has just issued this statement calling for police to grant protesters safe passage out of Hong Kong university campuses:
For the past hour, crowds of protesters have trying to break the police siege of Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), where hundreds of activists are trapped and have been prevented from leaving. Police are firing teargas to beat back the demonstrators. Our correspondent Lily Kuo is in the neighbourhood of Tsim Sha Tsui and has been posting what she sees on Twitter.For the past hour, crowds of protesters have trying to break the police siege of Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), where hundreds of activists are trapped and have been prevented from leaving. Police are firing teargas to beat back the demonstrators. Our correspondent Lily Kuo is in the neighbourhood of Tsim Sha Tsui and has been posting what she sees on Twitter.
Nearby, in a neighbourhood near the university called Jordan, police are firing rubber bullets and teargas and protesters are throwing petrol bombs.Nearby, in a neighbourhood near the university called Jordan, police are firing rubber bullets and teargas and protesters are throwing petrol bombs.
It is evening now in Hong Kong, and hundreds of activists remain besieged inside the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), the site of intense clashes today between protesters – many trying to flee the campus after nearly a week inside – and the police determined to keep them holed up.It is evening now in Hong Kong, and hundreds of activists remain besieged inside the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), the site of intense clashes today between protesters – many trying to flee the campus after nearly a week inside – and the police determined to keep them holed up.
Hong Kong authorities have said the Red Cross is inside the campus and that those requiring hospitalisation will be permitted to leave.Hong Kong authorities have said the Red Cross is inside the campus and that those requiring hospitalisation will be permitted to leave.
As for the rest: “Other than coming out to surrender, I don’t see, at the moment, there is a viable option for them,” said Cheuk Hau-yip, regional commander of Kowloon West, in a press conference this evening. Those who are arrested risk being charged with rioting, which carries a maximum 10-year jail sentence.As for the rest: “Other than coming out to surrender, I don’t see, at the moment, there is a viable option for them,” said Cheuk Hau-yip, regional commander of Kowloon West, in a press conference this evening. Those who are arrested risk being charged with rioting, which carries a maximum 10-year jail sentence.
Parents of some of those trapped inside PolyU (who include around 100 secondary school students) are sitting down in front of the police cordon blocking access to the campus holding signs that read, “Save Our Kids”.Parents of some of those trapped inside PolyU (who include around 100 secondary school students) are sitting down in front of the police cordon blocking access to the campus holding signs that read, “Save Our Kids”.
Protesters are clashing with law enforcement in other parts of the city, partly as a tactic to draw police resources away from the blockaded university, giving activists there a chance to escape. Activists claim some students have managed to get out of the campus through an unguarded path.Protesters are clashing with law enforcement in other parts of the city, partly as a tactic to draw police resources away from the blockaded university, giving activists there a chance to escape. Activists claim some students have managed to get out of the campus through an unguarded path.
Administrators have warned the continued unrest might mean the postponement of district council elections scheduled for Sunday. That could further stoke the protesters, who see the polls as one of the few institutional mechanisms to voice their grievances and influence Hong Kong politics.Administrators have warned the continued unrest might mean the postponement of district council elections scheduled for Sunday. That could further stoke the protesters, who see the polls as one of the few institutional mechanisms to voice their grievances and influence Hong Kong politics.
Earlier today, protesters won a legal victory with the high court finding a law against wearing masks in public was unconstitutional. Police say they have already stopped enforcing that controversial law.Earlier today, protesters won a legal victory with the high court finding a law against wearing masks in public was unconstitutional. Police say they have already stopped enforcing that controversial law.
In Tsim Sha Tsui, an area south of Hong Kong Polytechnic University, hundreds of protesters are facing off against riot police after having dug up bricks from the sidewalks and scattered them along the road. The longer the siege goes on at the university the more other places turn into flash points as protesters and their supporters rally and try to pull police resources away.In Tsim Sha Tsui, an area south of Hong Kong Polytechnic University, hundreds of protesters are facing off against riot police after having dug up bricks from the sidewalks and scattered them along the road. The longer the siege goes on at the university the more other places turn into flash points as protesters and their supporters rally and try to pull police resources away.
Hong Kong media is now reporting that district council elections may not be held this Sunday as scheduled because of the ongoing demonstrations, which included the arrest of 154 people on the weekend (bringing the total number of those arrested throughout the five-month movement to 4,491).Hong Kong media is now reporting that district council elections may not be held this Sunday as scheduled because of the ongoing demonstrations, which included the arrest of 154 people on the weekend (bringing the total number of those arrested throughout the five-month movement to 4,491).
The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Patrick Nip, told RTHK news that the government’s position was that it would still endeavour to hold the elections. the government’s position is clear that it will try its very best to ensure that the polls can go ahead smoothly.The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Patrick Nip, told RTHK news that the government’s position was that it would still endeavour to hold the elections. the government’s position is clear that it will try its very best to ensure that the polls can go ahead smoothly.
“However, the situation in the past weekend has obviously reduced the chance of holding the elections as scheduled and I’m very worried and anxious about this,” Nip said. “I must say that postponing the election is a difficult decision to make and we will not take this step unless absolutely necessary.”“However, the situation in the past weekend has obviously reduced the chance of holding the elections as scheduled and I’m very worried and anxious about this,” Nip said. “I must say that postponing the election is a difficult decision to make and we will not take this step unless absolutely necessary.”
Cancelling elections is likely to make things much worse. Some protesters have been demanding that the government promise to hold the polls, seen as the last institutional venue people have for expressing their views.Cancelling elections is likely to make things much worse. Some protesters have been demanding that the government promise to hold the polls, seen as the last institutional venue people have for expressing their views.