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Hong Kong Protests: Demonstrators Trapped at Polytechnic but Some Escape, as Court Overturns Mask Ban In Hong Kong, Daring Escapes From a Violent Siege at a University
(30 minutes later)
Police officers on Monday cornered hundreds of student protesters who occupied a Hong Kong university, offering the demonstrators one way out: drop your weapons and surrender or be met with a hail of tear gas and rubber bullets. HONG KONG — Some protesters slithered down makeshift ropes to waiting motorcyclists, brazenly evading a police cordon set up around a besieged university campus. Hundreds defied warnings to drop their homemade weapons and refused to surrender. And a group of sobbing parents staged a sit-in vigil outside the school, blocked by officers who refused to allow them inside.
For days, the protesters have held the police off from entering the campus of Hong Kong Polytechnic University, fortifying their holdout with homemade fire bombs, giant sling shots, bricks and bows and arrows. The scenes at Hong Kong Polytechnic University on Monday were a montage of urban warfare and mayhem in the heart of the territory, roiled for nearly six months by pro-democracy protesters. The demonstrators have increasingly directed their fury at the police and the authorities in China, who have dropped many hints that their patience is wearing thin.
At least 38 people were injured in a protracted battle at the university on Sunday, the city’s Hospital Authority said, after a bloody battle in which a police officer was struck by an arrow and demonstrators set a police van on fire. The number of injured on Monday tripled to at least 116. For days, the protesters have held off the police from entering the campus of Hong Kong Polytechnic, fortifying their holdout with homemade fire bombs, giant sling shots, bricks and bows and arrows.
As other protests raged across the city, Hong Kong’s High Court on Monday struck down a contentious ban on the wearing of face masks in public. The court found that the ban, enacted in October, violated the territory’s mini-constitution, know as the Basic Law. China criticized the court’s ruling on Tuesday, saying it had “seriously weakened the lawful governing power.” At least 38 people were injured in a protracted confrontation at the university on Sunday, the city’s Hospital Authority said, after a bloody battle in which a police officer was struck by an arrow and demonstrators set a police van on fire.
In Washington, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States was “gravely concerned” by the deepening mayhem, urging all sides to exercise restraint. The casualties tripled on Monday, with at least 116 people injured. By some estimates, at least 300 people remained inside the encircled campus into early Tuesday.
The Hong Kong protests began in June over legislation, since scrapped, that would have allowed extraditions to mainland China, and have expanded to include a broad range of demands for police accountability and greater democracy. As other demonstrations raged across the city, Hong Kong’s High Court offered some vindication to the protesters, striking down a contentious ban on the wearing of face masks in public. The court found that the ban, enacted in October, violated the territory’s mini-Constitution, know as the Basic Law.
Here’s the latest: And in Washington, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States was “gravely concerned” by the deepening chaos.
Running out of weapons and supplies, protesters at PolyU on Monday sought to flee the campus, only to find all of their routes blocked by a cordon of heavily armed riot police officers and a hailstorm of tear gas and rubber bullets. The most dramatic scenes unfolded at Hong Kong Polytechnic. As their weapons and supplies dwindled, protesters sought to flee the campus, only to find all their routes blocked by a line of heavily armed riot police officers and a hailstorm of tear gas and rubber bullets.
The students on Monday afternoon tried unsuccessfully to rush a police cordon only to be pushed back into the campus. Despite running out of options, the students feared that following police instructions to “drop their weapons” and leave through one designated exit would result in their arrest. On Monday afternoon, the students tried unsuccessfully to rush a police cordon only to be pushed back into the campus. Despite running out of options, the students feared they would be arrested if they obeyed police instructions to “drop their weapons” and leave through one designated exit.
Later in the evening, a number of protesters escaped on ladders made of rope or plastic hoses, dropping down from a bridge connected to the campus, as supporters on escape motorcycles awaited them on the road below. It was not immediately clear if any were arrested.Later in the evening, a number of protesters escaped on ladders made of rope or plastic hoses, dropping down from a bridge connected to the campus, as supporters on escape motorcycles awaited them on the road below. It was not immediately clear if any were arrested.
The protesters, many of them university and high school students, have occupied the campus for a week. On Sunday night and well into Monday morning they clashed with the police in one of the most violent confrontations in months of conflict. The protesters, many of them university and high school students, have occupied the campus for a week. On Sunday night and well into Monday morning, they clashed with the police in one of the most violent confrontations in the months of conflict.
At least 500 protesters remained on campus by Monday afternoon, after the police tried to enter the campus that morning but were pushed back. By nightfall, about 100 people staged a sit-in directly in front of the police cordon near the university, including women who were said to be mothers of trapped protesters, sobbing and being comforted by others.
By nightfall, about 100 people staged a sit-in directly in front of the police cordon near the university, including women who appeared to be mothers of trapped protesters sobbing and being comforted by others.
“Most of the people here are parents,” said Claudia Mo, a pro-democracy lawmaker who joined the rally. “They realize once their children get out they will be immediately arrested. They just want to take a look at their kid and see if he or she is O.K.”“Most of the people here are parents,” said Claudia Mo, a pro-democracy lawmaker who joined the rally. “They realize once their children get out they will be immediately arrested. They just want to take a look at their kid and see if he or she is O.K.”
Conditions on the campus have grown increasingly desperate with injured protesters unable to receive treatment, Owan Li, a student council member, told reporters. Student leaders said protesters suffered eye injuries and hypothermia after being struck by a stinging dye shot from a police water cannon. Conditions on the campus have grown increasingly desperate with injured protesters unable to receive treatment, Owan Li, a student council member, told reporters. Student leaders said protesters had suffered eye injuries and hypothermia after they were struck by a stinging dye shot from a police water cannon.
Trying to mediate the stalemate, Jasper Tsang, founder of Hong Kong’s largest pro-Beijing political party, arrived at the university late Monday evening. Mr. Tsang spoke to several protesters at a podium and said he was willing to accompany their departure from the university to help insure their safety. Trying to mediate the stalemate, Jasper Tsang, the founder of Hong Kong’s largest pro-Beijing political party, arrived at the university late Monday evening. Mr. Tsang spoke to several protesters at a podium and said he was willing to accompany their departure from the university to help insure their safety.
Later, dozens of protesters lined up at the designated exit and were arrested on rioting charges by the police. It was not immediately clear whether they had departed because of Mr. Tsang’s mediation. Nor was it clear how many students remained on the campus. Later, dozens of protesters lined up at the designated exit and were arrested on rioting charges by the police. It was not immediately clear whether they had departed because of Mr. Tsang’s mediation.
Areas near the university had the feel of a battle zone, with streets engulfed by tear gas and fires.Areas near the university had the feel of a battle zone, with streets engulfed by tear gas and fires.
Scores were arrested by the police on Monday morning near the university. A large group of people were seen seated outside a hotel in the Tsim Sha Tsui district of Kowloon, their hands zip-tied behind their backs.Scores were arrested by the police on Monday morning near the university. A large group of people were seen seated outside a hotel in the Tsim Sha Tsui district of Kowloon, their hands zip-tied behind their backs.
It was unclear if the bulk of the arrestees were protesters trying to flee the campus or allies responding to calls for help evacuating protesters.
The police said that they arranged for Red Cross volunteers to enter the campus in the afternoon and provide first aid to the injured, and that the force would assist those who needed to go to the hospital “before further investigation,” implying that arrests would wait until after their treatments.The police said that they arranged for Red Cross volunteers to enter the campus in the afternoon and provide first aid to the injured, and that the force would assist those who needed to go to the hospital “before further investigation,” implying that arrests would wait until after their treatments.
Fernando Cheung, a pro-democracy lawmaker who was in touch with social workers, said that some of the young people trapped inside were “close to breaking down.”Fernando Cheung, a pro-democracy lawmaker who was in touch with social workers, said that some of the young people trapped inside were “close to breaking down.”
The police said 154 people were arrested over the weekend, bringing the total number of arrests to 4,491 since the protests started in June. The police said 154 people were arrested over the weekend, bringing the total number of arrests to 4,491 since the protests started in June.
Xinhua, China’s state news agency, reported on Tuesday that China’s state council has appointed a new police chief for Hong Kong. The appointment of Tang Ping-keung, also known as Chris Tang, comes after the police force has been criticized by hard-liners in the country for not being aggressive enough in dealing with the protests.
The city’s High Court on Monday struck down a ban on wearing face masks in public, issuing a blow to the local government’s ability to characterize the ongoing protests as a situation that requires the invocation of emergency powers. The ruling that overturned the face-mask ban, issued by the city’s High Court, was a blow to the local government’s contention that the protests required the declaration of emergency powers.
The ban, which was enacted in October, quickly inflamed tensions in the city and set off a series of violent clashes. The city’s chief executive, Carrie Lam, imposed the ban without seeking legislative approval by invoking powers granted under the rarely used Emergency Regulations Ordinance, or E.R.O. The mask ban quickly inflamed tensions in the city and set off more violent clashes. The city’s chief executive, Carrie Lam, imposed the ban without seeking legislative approval by invoking powers granted under the rarely used Emergency Regulations Ordinance.
In its ruling, the court said the ban violated the city’s mini-constitution, known as the Basic Law, because it was too vague and endangered the ability of the Legislative Council, or LegCo, to make the territory’s laws. In its ruling, the court said the ban violated the city’s mini-Constitution because it was too vague and endangered the ability of the Legislative Council to make the territory’s laws.
“The E.R.O. is so wide in its scope, the conferment of powers so complete, its conditions for invocation so uncertain and subjective, the regulations made thereunder invested with such primacy, and the control by the LegCo so precarious, that we believe it is not compatible with the constitutional order laid down by the Basic Law,” the court said in its ruling. Yang Guang, a spokesman for the Chinese government’s office that handles Hong Kong affairs, criticized the court’s decision.
But the ruling was quickly met with criticism from Beijing — a sign of the Chinese government’s growing impatience with the protests. Legal analysts said the criticism also reflected the Chinese government’s view that it has the final right of interpretation of Hong Kong’s Basic Law — not Hong Kong’s judiciary. Mr. Yang said the ruling had “brazenly challenged the authority of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee and the governance powers of the chief executive conferred by the law,” according to an online statement from the office. He gave a veiled warning for the Hong Kong judiciary to fall into line, citing China’s view of the Basic Law.
The court ruling “has seriously weakened the lawful governing power of the Hong Kong S.A.R. chief executive and the government, and does not comply with the provisions of the Hong Kong Basic Law and the relevant decisions of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress,” Zang Tiewei, spokesman of the Commission of Legislative Affairs of the NPC Standing Committee, said Tuesday, according to China’s official Xinhua news agency. “We are studying the relevant opinions and suggestions put forward by some National People’s Congress deputies.”  “We will continue paying close attention to the developments in this case,” Mr. Yang said. “It is to be hoped that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government and judicial organs will strictly carry out their duties according to the Basic Law, and shoulder a common responsibility to halt the violence and chaos and restore order.”
If Beijing’s decision to weigh in on Monday’s ruling by Hong Kong’s High Court were to limit the ability of Hong Kong’s courts to interpret the Basic Law, it would be “a radical diminution of Hong Kong’s judicial autonomy,” said Stuart Hargreaves, an associate professor in the Faculty of Law at Chinese University of Hong Kong. Masks have been worn by protesters since the early days of the movement, as a way for protesters to conceal their identities and protect themselves from the pepper spray and tear gas routinely deployed by the police. Many protesters saw the law as a pretext that would allow officers to arrest nonviolent demonstrators in order to discourage people from joining the street actions.
Masks have been worn by protesters since the early days of the movement, as a way for protesters to conceal their identities and protect themselves from the pepper spray and tear gas routinely deployed by the police. Many protesters saw the law a pretext that would allow officers to arrest nonviolent demonstrators in order to discourage people from joining the street actions. The Trump administration has been muted about its position on the Hong Kong unrest, even though many Republicans and Democrats have expressed strong support for the protesters and their cause.
“The judgment affirms the importance of separation of powers and fundamental freedoms under our constitutional order,” said Simon Young, a professor at the University of Hong Kong Law School. On Monday, Mr. Pompeo called for all sides in the escalating conflict to exercise restraint, and said the territory’s government should start an independent investigation into violent incidents that have punctuated the protests. Such an investigation presumably would include reviewing accusations of police misconduct.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called for all sides in the escalating Hong Kong conflict to exercise restraint, and said the territory’s government should start an independent investigation into violent incidents that have punctuated the pro-democracy protests. Such an investigation presumably would include reviewing accusations of police misconduct. Chinese leaders, on the other hand, have increasingly castigated the protesters as thugs and seditionists who have been encouraged by China’s adversaries.
“The United States is gravely concerned by the deepening political unrest and violence in Hong Kong, including the standoffs between protesters and police at Hong Kong Polytechnic University and other campuses,” Mr. Pompeo told a news conference in Washington. “We have repeatedly called for restraint from all parties in Hong Kong.”
“The Hong Kong government bears primary responsibility,” he said, adding that the conflict could not be resolved by law enforcement alone.
He called for the government to “take clear steps to address public concerns,” and stressed that Carrie Lam, the territory’s chief executive, should “promote accountability” by putting in place an independent investigation.
For months, protesters have demanded an inquiry into what they call abuses against activists and bystanders by police officers. As tensions have grown, the police have increasingly used tear gas, rubber bullets, pepper spray and water cannons loaded with chemicals that cause pain on contact with skin. The police have deployed all of those weapons in the siege of Polytechnic University, which began on Saturday night.
Last Thursday, President Xi Jinping of China made his toughest comments so far about the protests. According to a People’s Daily report of a speech Mr. Xi gave in Brazil, he said China “staunchly supports the Hong Kong police in sternly enforcing the law, and the Hong Kong judicial authorities in punishing violent criminals.”Last Thursday, President Xi Jinping of China made his toughest comments so far about the protests. According to a People’s Daily report of a speech Mr. Xi gave in Brazil, he said China “staunchly supports the Hong Kong police in sternly enforcing the law, and the Hong Kong judicial authorities in punishing violent criminals.”
At the news conference on Monday, Mr. Pompeo said “the Chinese Communist Party must honor its promises to the Hong Kong people,” as enshrined in the agreement that transferred British sovereignty over Hong Kong to China. The agreement guarantees China will allow Hong Kong to maintain a semiautonomous political and legal system for 50 years under a governance model commonly called “one country, two systems.” Austin Ramzy and Tiffany May contributed reporting from Hong Kong, Chris Buckley from Beijing and Edward Wong from Washington.
Austin Ramzy, Tiffany May and Edward Wong contributed reporting.