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Hong Kong protests: Dozens arrested as sites demolished | Hong Kong protests: Dozens arrested as sites demolished |
(35 minutes later) | |
Scores of people have been arrested in Hong Kong during scuffles sparked by operations to dismantle pro-democracy protest activist camps. | Scores of people have been arrested in Hong Kong during scuffles sparked by operations to dismantle pro-democracy protest activist camps. |
Those arrested included leading student activists Joshua Wong and Lester Shum. | Those arrested included leading student activists Joshua Wong and Lester Shum. |
The authorities, acting on court orders, are clearing part of the Mong Kok commercial district in Kowloon. | The authorities, acting on court orders, are clearing part of the Mong Kok commercial district in Kowloon. |
Protesters fought running battles overnight on the streets around the busy thoroughfare Nathan Road, with police using batons and pepper spray. | |
The Hong Kong Federation of Students said its leading activist Lester Shum was detained, along with Joshua Wong of the Scholarism movement and a number of other key protest figures. | The Hong Kong Federation of Students said its leading activist Lester Shum was detained, along with Joshua Wong of the Scholarism movement and a number of other key protest figures. |
It is Mr Wong's second arrest in recent months, after he was detained in September at the start of the protests. | It is Mr Wong's second arrest in recent months, after he was detained in September at the start of the protests. |
Other arrests were for alleged offences including assaulting police, possessing offensive weapons and obstructing officers. | |
Tents torn down | Tents torn down |
The authorities moved in on Mong Kok after a court gave permission for camps in two of the district's roads - Argyle and Dundas Street - to be cleared. A taxi company won an injunction after arguing that its business was being disrupted. | |
Tuesday's clearance in another area of Mong Kok was the result of an injunction by a bus company. | Tuesday's clearance in another area of Mong Kok was the result of an injunction by a bus company. |
The clearance operation continued early on Wednesday as bailiffs, backed by police, began removing barricades. | The clearance operation continued early on Wednesday as bailiffs, backed by police, began removing barricades. |
Bailiffs and workers in red baseball caps and T-shirts that read "I love HK" dismantled wooden pallets and other materials after a warning was read out. | Bailiffs and workers in red baseball caps and T-shirts that read "I love HK" dismantled wooden pallets and other materials after a warning was read out. |
Police officers wearing helmets are on the streets as well, tearing down tents and canopies. Other officers are standing by with backpack pepper sprayers, local media reported. | Police officers wearing helmets are on the streets as well, tearing down tents and canopies. Other officers are standing by with backpack pepper sprayers, local media reported. |
According to the injunction, anyone seen to be obstructing the process can be arrested for contempt of court, Hong Kong's South China Morning Post reports. | |
The BBC's Martin Yip in Hong Kong says police action to clear the site on Tuesday appears to have encouraged many more protest supporters to come on to the streets. | The BBC's Martin Yip in Hong Kong says police action to clear the site on Tuesday appears to have encouraged many more protest supporters to come on to the streets. |
The main protest site, in the financial district across the harbour, remains largely intact, with a normally busy eight lane highway blocked by hundreds of tents. | The main protest site, in the financial district across the harbour, remains largely intact, with a normally busy eight lane highway blocked by hundreds of tents. |
The activists have been on the streets since early October, demanding a free choice of leader in the 2017 election. | The activists have been on the streets since early October, demanding a free choice of leader in the 2017 election. |
China, however, says the pool of candidates that people in Hong Kong will vote on will be selected by a Beijing-backed committee. | China, however, says the pool of candidates that people in Hong Kong will vote on will be selected by a Beijing-backed committee. |
Protesters originally numbered in the tens of thousands when the Hong Kong unrest first began in October, but have since dwindled to a few hundred, while attempts by both sides to reach a compromise have made little progress. | Protesters originally numbered in the tens of thousands when the Hong Kong unrest first began in October, but have since dwindled to a few hundred, while attempts by both sides to reach a compromise have made little progress. |
Mr Wong, from the Scholarism group, had earlier said the court orders were being used as an excuse to remove activists, according to the South China Morning Post. | |
Protesters complained that the bailiffs have not explained properly what the court order includes and what would qualify as "obstructing" their work. | Protesters complained that the bailiffs have not explained properly what the court order includes and what would qualify as "obstructing" their work. |
Hong Kong democracy timeline | Hong Kong democracy timeline |
Q&A: Hong Kong's democracy controversy | Q&A: Hong Kong's democracy controversy |
Are you in Hong Kong? Have you witnessed the dismantling of activist camps? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk | Are you in Hong Kong? Have you witnessed the dismantling of activist camps? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk |
Have your say | Have your say |
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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