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| Hong Kong police use tear gas against thousands protesting new China law | Hong Kong police use tear gas against thousands protesting new China law |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| HONG KONG — Police fired multiple rounds of tear gas and used a water cannon to disperse protesters opposing Beijing's plan to unilaterally impose a sweeping national security law, marking a return to the demonstrations that defined this city last year. | |
| Despite social distancing measures still in place over the coronavirus outbreak that bar gatherings of more than eight, as well as existing laws on illegal assembly, thousands gathered by early afternoon in Hong Kong’s Causeway Bay shopping district. Refrains of last years protests — “fight for freedom,” “stand with Hong Kong” — echoed on the streets among people of all ages. Some carried posters declaring that “Heaven will destroy the Chinese Communist Party.” | Despite social distancing measures still in place over the coronavirus outbreak that bar gatherings of more than eight, as well as existing laws on illegal assembly, thousands gathered by early afternoon in Hong Kong’s Causeway Bay shopping district. Refrains of last years protests — “fight for freedom,” “stand with Hong Kong” — echoed on the streets among people of all ages. Some carried posters declaring that “Heaven will destroy the Chinese Communist Party.” |
| “If we don’t come out today to fight back, this may be the last time,” said Chris, a 19-year old protester who gave only his first name as he had already been arrested once before. “Maybe tomorrow, Hong Kong will be China and we can’t even say a single word of criticism on the Internet without being arrested.” | “If we don’t come out today to fight back, this may be the last time,” said Chris, a 19-year old protester who gave only his first name as he had already been arrested once before. “Maybe tomorrow, Hong Kong will be China and we can’t even say a single word of criticism on the Internet without being arrested.” |
| The protest was held under the auspices of a “health talk,” which could allow it to bypass the restrictions on public gatherings. Nonetheless, activist Tam Tak-chi, who had set up a booth along the planned route of the march, was arrested for unauthorized assembly shortly before it was due to begin. | The protest was held under the auspices of a “health talk,” which could allow it to bypass the restrictions on public gatherings. Nonetheless, activist Tam Tak-chi, who had set up a booth along the planned route of the march, was arrested for unauthorized assembly shortly before it was due to begin. |
| Pompeo calls Chinese plan to exert sweeping controls in Hong Kong a ‘death knell’ for territory’s autonomy | Pompeo calls Chinese plan to exert sweeping controls in Hong Kong a ‘death knell’ for territory’s autonomy |
| The sweeping national security law will criminalize “foreign interference” along with secessionist activities and subversion of state power. The law imposes Beijing’s will by decree and completely bypasses the legislative processes set up in Hong Kong by the 1997 handover from Britain. | The sweeping national security law will criminalize “foreign interference” along with secessionist activities and subversion of state power. The law imposes Beijing’s will by decree and completely bypasses the legislative processes set up in Hong Kong by the 1997 handover from Britain. |
| The move undermines Hong Kong’s constitution, the Basic Law, and essentially discards the “one country, two systems” approach meant to preserve the city’s autonomy until 2047. | The move undermines Hong Kong’s constitution, the Basic Law, and essentially discards the “one country, two systems” approach meant to preserve the city’s autonomy until 2047. |
| On Friday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo denounced the law, calling it “a death knell” for Hong Kong’s autonomy and said it could trigger sanctions and change the U.S. relationship with the territory. | On Friday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo denounced the law, calling it “a death knell” for Hong Kong’s autonomy and said it could trigger sanctions and change the U.S. relationship with the territory. |
| Just 20 minutes after the designated start time of the march, which was advertised on secure messaging apps and social media, protesters had spilled onto roads snarling traffic in scenes reminiscent of the months of sometimes violent unrest last year. | Just 20 minutes after the designated start time of the march, which was advertised on secure messaging apps and social media, protesters had spilled onto roads snarling traffic in scenes reminiscent of the months of sometimes violent unrest last year. |
| Police moved quickly to disperse them, firing several rounds of tear gas into the crowd, leaving the elderly coughing and choking and parents rushing to get their children into malls for safety as the shutters closed on them. | Police moved quickly to disperse them, firing several rounds of tear gas into the crowd, leaving the elderly coughing and choking and parents rushing to get their children into malls for safety as the shutters closed on them. |
| At one point police fired a water cannon mounted on an armored truck at protesters and then into the air. | |
| Even after most of the activists scattered, police remained on the streets of downtown, with some people shouting “communist thugs” at them. | |
| In some cases protesters attempted unsuccessfully to build makeshift barricades in the streets to hinder police movement — a hallmark of last year’s protests. | |
| In a statement, police said the demonstrators were “causing serious obstruction to the road traffic” and so it used “minimum necessary force” to disperse them. | In a statement, police said the demonstrators were “causing serious obstruction to the road traffic” and so it used “minimum necessary force” to disperse them. |
| The scenes were a signal that many in Hong Kong will not give up the fight against Beijing’s control, despite the increasingly powerless situation they find themselves in. | The scenes were a signal that many in Hong Kong will not give up the fight against Beijing’s control, despite the increasingly powerless situation they find themselves in. |
| The national security law, Beijing and Hong Kong officials said, was a direct response to protests last year. The Chinese Communist Party continues to insist the months of massive demonstrations were the product of “foreign interference,” Western meddling and secessionist aspirations despite no evidence to prove the theory. | The national security law, Beijing and Hong Kong officials said, was a direct response to protests last year. The Chinese Communist Party continues to insist the months of massive demonstrations were the product of “foreign interference,” Western meddling and secessionist aspirations despite no evidence to prove the theory. |
| Most Hong Kong protesters say they simply want to continue living with the freedoms they have always enjoyed rather than being subsumed into mainland China. | Most Hong Kong protesters say they simply want to continue living with the freedoms they have always enjoyed rather than being subsumed into mainland China. |
| The turmoil erupted last year with the introduction of a bill that allowed extraditions to mainland China. The protests grew into a whole political movement pushing back against Beijing’s encroachment on the city’s political freedoms. | The turmoil erupted last year with the introduction of a bill that allowed extraditions to mainland China. The protests grew into a whole political movement pushing back against Beijing’s encroachment on the city’s political freedoms. |
| Under the 1997 agreement, Hong Kong administers its own affairs — save defense and foreign relations — and has become a thriving center for finance and media. | Under the 1997 agreement, Hong Kong administers its own affairs — save defense and foreign relations — and has become a thriving center for finance and media. |
| China to impose sweeping security law in Hong Kong, heralding end of city’s autonomy | China to impose sweeping security law in Hong Kong, heralding end of city’s autonomy |
| Explosive summer of discontent is brewing in Hong Kong | Explosive summer of discontent is brewing in Hong Kong |
| One country, one system: The week that China shredded its promise on Hong Kong | One country, one system: The week that China shredded its promise on Hong Kong |
| Today’s coverage from Post correspondents around the world | Today’s coverage from Post correspondents around the world |
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