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Hong Kong Polytechnic University: Protesters still inside as standoff continues | Hong Kong Polytechnic University: Protesters still inside as standoff continues |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Up to 200 anti-government protesters remain barricaded inside a Hong Kong university, surrounded by police, as the standoff continues for a third day. | Up to 200 anti-government protesters remain barricaded inside a Hong Kong university, surrounded by police, as the standoff continues for a third day. |
Those inside Polytechnic University are said to be running low on supplies. | Those inside Polytechnic University are said to be running low on supplies. |
Protesters have been inside the campus since last week, initially stopping police from entering by lighting fires and throwing petrol bombs. | Protesters have been inside the campus since last week, initially stopping police from entering by lighting fires and throwing petrol bombs. |
Police say adults who leave will be arrested, leaving some too scared to leave. | Police say adults who leave will be arrested, leaving some too scared to leave. |
Hundreds of protesters tried to run from the campus on Monday, but many were hit with tear gas and rubber bullets and arrested. | Hundreds of protesters tried to run from the campus on Monday, but many were hit with tear gas and rubber bullets and arrested. |
On Tuesday, police revealed on Monday alone at the campus they used: | On Tuesday, police revealed on Monday alone at the campus they used: |
A small group managed to leave using rope ladders before being picked up and driven away by motorcyclists. | A small group managed to leave using rope ladders before being picked up and driven away by motorcyclists. |
Those arrested could be charged with rioting, which carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison. | Those arrested could be charged with rioting, which carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison. |
On Sunday night, police warned protesters they had until 22:00 (14:00 GMT) to leave the campus. | On Sunday night, police warned protesters they had until 22:00 (14:00 GMT) to leave the campus. |
Police later moved in, surrounding the campus, leading to protesters throwing petrol bombs and firing stones from catapults. | Police later moved in, surrounding the campus, leading to protesters throwing petrol bombs and firing stones from catapults. |
The violence at PolyU is one of the biggest flare-ups Hong Kong has seen since protests broke out in June. | The violence at PolyU is one of the biggest flare-ups Hong Kong has seen since protests broke out in June. |
Tuesday saw the UN human rights office urge the Hong Kong authorities to de-escalate the situation at PolyU and address the humanitarian situation of those inside which it said was "clearly deteriorating". | |
It added that some demonstrators' use of violence, including against the police, "cannot be condoned". | |
The mostly young protesters have five key demands, including an investigation into police brutality and universal suffrage. | The mostly young protesters have five key demands, including an investigation into police brutality and universal suffrage. |
But underpinning it all is the fear Hong Kong's unique identity is threatened by China. | But underpinning it all is the fear Hong Kong's unique identity is threatened by China. |
Tensions now could be further inflamed after China condemned a decision by Hong Kong's high court to overturn a ban on facemasks. | Tensions now could be further inflamed after China condemned a decision by Hong Kong's high court to overturn a ban on facemasks. |
What is happening today? | What is happening today? |
An estimated 100 to 200 protesters still remain in PolyU, authorities have said. | An estimated 100 to 200 protesters still remain in PolyU, authorities have said. |
One protester called Jeff told the BBC that he was hiding in a building on the campus. | One protester called Jeff told the BBC that he was hiding in a building on the campus. |
"I have been trapped inside Polytechnic University for two days and food and water is running out," he said. | "I have been trapped inside Polytechnic University for two days and food and water is running out," he said. |
"Most people tried to get out of this hell-like place, most of them tried to escape but ended in failure, being arrested or wounded or something." | "Most people tried to get out of this hell-like place, most of them tried to escape but ended in failure, being arrested or wounded or something." |
"I didn't expect this incident to get so desperate in here. The campus is so desperate and I am not well prepared. I would call it a disaster." | "I didn't expect this incident to get so desperate in here. The campus is so desperate and I am not well prepared. I would call it a disaster." |
He said his parents were concerned for his safety and he had told them he would make it out. | He said his parents were concerned for his safety and he had told them he would make it out. |
A handful of protesters have been trickling out of the university, some suffering from hypothermia and leg injuries, according to news site SCMP. | A handful of protesters have been trickling out of the university, some suffering from hypothermia and leg injuries, according to news site SCMP. |
One protester said he had decided to come out because of "hunger and cold", adding that many inside were "hurt without enough medical supplies". | One protester said he had decided to come out because of "hunger and cold", adding that many inside were "hurt without enough medical supplies". |
Pro-democracy lawmaker Ted Hui had earlier said protesters did not have enough supplies to "last another day". | Pro-democracy lawmaker Ted Hui had earlier said protesters did not have enough supplies to "last another day". |
Another 16-year-old protester told Reuters that she had chosen to "surrender". | Another 16-year-old protester told Reuters that she had chosen to "surrender". |
"We have been trying to escape since yesterday morning. But then we couldn't find a way out [and] were afraid of being charged," she said. "This is the only way... I was quite desperate." | "We have been trying to escape since yesterday morning. But then we couldn't find a way out [and] were afraid of being charged," she said. "This is the only way... I was quite desperate." |
A total of 600 protesters have now left the campus, according to Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam. | A total of 600 protesters have now left the campus, according to Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam. |
In the early hours of Tuesday morning, more than 200 students below the age of 18 left, accompanied by education officials including high school principals. | In the early hours of Tuesday morning, more than 200 students below the age of 18 left, accompanied by education officials including high school principals. |
Those under the age of 18 had their identities recorded and were let go. Adults were arrested. | Those under the age of 18 had their identities recorded and were let go. Adults were arrested. |
Ms Lam called on all protesters to surrender, saying no violence would happen if they came "out in a peaceful manner". | Ms Lam called on all protesters to surrender, saying no violence would happen if they came "out in a peaceful manner". |
However, she said police would have to take "necessary action" if that changed. Separately on Tuesday, Hong Kong's new police chief took office. | However, she said police would have to take "necessary action" if that changed. Separately on Tuesday, Hong Kong's new police chief took office. |
Chris Tang said the force was not able to end the protests alone, saying the unrest would only end if society condemned the violence. | Chris Tang said the force was not able to end the protests alone, saying the unrest would only end if society condemned the violence. |
The face mask ban | The face mask ban |
Hong Kong had previously banned protesters from wearing face masks - but this was deemed "unconstitutional" by the city's high court on Monday. | Hong Kong had previously banned protesters from wearing face masks - but this was deemed "unconstitutional" by the city's high court on Monday. |
China has condemned the high court's decision. It says it has the sole authority to rule on constitutional matters in the region - but it is unclear what action, if any, China might take next. | China has condemned the high court's decision. It says it has the sole authority to rule on constitutional matters in the region - but it is unclear what action, if any, China might take next. |
This is a large part of what the ongoing protests in Hong Kong are about. | This is a large part of what the ongoing protests in Hong Kong are about. |
Many in Hong Kong fear that its freedoms - including judicial independence - are slowly being eroded by Beijing. | Many in Hong Kong fear that its freedoms - including judicial independence - are slowly being eroded by Beijing. |
How did we get here? | How did we get here? |
Campuses had remained relatively free of violence during the Hong Kong protests - despite the movement being led mainly by students and young people. | Campuses had remained relatively free of violence during the Hong Kong protests - despite the movement being led mainly by students and young people. |
But after the death of a 22-year-old student, that changed. | But after the death of a 22-year-old student, that changed. |
Last week, the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) became a battleground. | Last week, the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) became a battleground. |
Police say protesters threw petrol bombs on a major road near the university in an effort to stop traffic. Officers attempted to reclaim the road, leading to major clashes. | Police say protesters threw petrol bombs on a major road near the university in an effort to stop traffic. Officers attempted to reclaim the road, leading to major clashes. |
Police revealed on Tuesday that some 3,900 petrol bombs were found at CUHK, adding that the university had 100 litres of sulphuric and nitric acids missing. | Police revealed on Tuesday that some 3,900 petrol bombs were found at CUHK, adding that the university had 100 litres of sulphuric and nitric acids missing. |
The university then cancelled all classes for the rest of the term. Days later, protesters at PolyU also tried to block access to a key tunnel near the university. | The university then cancelled all classes for the rest of the term. Days later, protesters at PolyU also tried to block access to a key tunnel near the university. |
Protests have also been held at other locations in Hong Kong. | Protests have also been held at other locations in Hong Kong. |
Why are there protests in Hong Kong? | Why are there protests in Hong Kong? |
Hong Kong - a British colony until 1997 - is part of China under a model known as "one country, two systems". | Hong Kong - a British colony until 1997 - is part of China under a model known as "one country, two systems". |
Under this model, it has a high degree of autonomy and people have freedoms unseen in mainland China. | Under this model, it has a high degree of autonomy and people have freedoms unseen in mainland China. |
The protests started in June after the government planned to pass a bill that would allow suspects to be extradited to mainland China. Many feared this would undermine the city's freedoms and judicial independence. | The protests started in June after the government planned to pass a bill that would allow suspects to be extradited to mainland China. Many feared this would undermine the city's freedoms and judicial independence. |
The bill was eventually withdrawn, but the demonstrations continued, having evolved into a broader protest against alleged police brutality, and the way Hong Kong is administered by Beijing. | The bill was eventually withdrawn, but the demonstrations continued, having evolved into a broader protest against alleged police brutality, and the way Hong Kong is administered by Beijing. |