Riot police fired multiple volleys of tear gas Sunday to disperse pro-democracy protesters close to Beijing’s office in Hong Kong, plunging the financial hub deeper into crisis.
The clashes are the second consecutive day of violence in a city reeling from weeks of anti-government protests that show no sign of abating.
Sunday’s clashes took place close to the Liaison Office, which represents Beijing in the semi-autonomous hub and which was pelted with eggs and paint last week.
Riot police fired multiple volleys of tear gas Sunday to disperse pro-democracy protesters close to Beijing’s office in Hong Kong, plunging the financial hub deeper into crisis
The clashes are the second consecutive day of violence in a city reeling from weeks of anti-government protests that show no sign of abating. Pictured: A lone umbrella, the symbol of the protests, blows in front of riot police
The main city streets looked like a war zone as tear gas was again fired at the protesters (pictured). they came prepared with gas masks again today for the protest
Huge crowds made their way through the main island’s streets (pictured) in a now-familiar scene, but Sunday’s marches had a key difference – police had banned them
A group headed west towards the Liason Office – the department that represents China’s central government – which was guarded by lines of riot police (pictured)
Pro-democracy protesters make a lane for the ambulance to get through as further injuries came during the demonstration today
Some headed east to Causeway Bay, a popular shopping district, where they then erected barricades (pictured) and took over a main thoroughfare as shops and malls shuttered
A young protested is arrested during the protests tonight. He sits next to a water bottle as two police officers stand over him today
Officials had initially only given permission for a rally in a park in the commercial district known as Central, but the crowds quickly spilled into the surrounding streets. Pictured centre: Activist Joshua Wong
A man takes a quiet moment to himself before the start of a march to protest against police violence during previous marches, at Chater Garden
A group of some 200 protesters had made their way towards the Liaison Office where they met a phalanx of riot police
Police and protesters had been engaged in a tense standoff for hours after tens of thousands of demonstrators held a series of unsanctioned marches through the city.
A group of some 200 protesters had made their way towards the Liaison Office where they met a phalanx of riot police.
A second, larger crowd massed in the popular shopping district of Causeway Bay, where they built barricades and took over a main thoroughfare.
The renewed violence comes a day after a town near the border with mainland China descended into chaos as police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters holding another banned rally against suspected pro-government triad gangs who beat up democracy demonstrators there last weekend.
Police and protesters had been engaged in a tense standoff for hours after tens of thousands of demonstrators held a series of unsanctioned marches through the city
Sunday’s clashes took place close to the Liaison Office, which represents Beijing in the semi-autonomous hub and which was pelted with eggs and paint last week
Demonstrators clash with police during a protest against police violence during previous marches, near China’s Liaison Office
A barricade set up by police is seen outside China’s liaison office. Defiant pro-democracy protesters geared up for another big rally, a day after police fired rubber bullets and tear gas in the latest violent confrontation that has plunged the financial hub deeper into crisis
A protester walks on a tram stop as police fire tear gas during the demonstration. he wears an orange hard hat with other protesters watching on
One of those taking part in the march lies on the ground with a police officer’s arm around him. He appears to shout out as another officer above him raises his weapon
‘I feel so conflicted, seeing young people sacrifice their future for Hong Kong,’ a 22-year-old student protester called Marcus said, bursting into tears
The latest march (pictured) comes a day after a town near the border with mainland China descended into chaos as police battled protesters holding another banned rally against suspected pro-government triad gangs who beat up democracy demonstrators there last weekend
Despite facing unprecedented levels of public anger and frustration, the city’s pro-Beijing leadership are seemingly unable, or unwilling, to end the chaos. Pictured: An umbrella is used to defend against the tear gas
Police detain protesters after charging at them near the China Liaison Office. One young activist lies face down with their arms pulled behind their back
Despite facing unprecedented levels of public anger and frustration, the city’s pro-Beijing leadership are seemingly unable, or unwilling, to end the chaos.
Hong Kong has been plunged into its worst crisis in recent history after millions of demonstrators took to the streets and sporadic violent confrontations erupted between police and pockets of hardcore protesters.
The demonstrations over the last seven weeks were triggered by a controversial bill which would have allowed extraditions to mainland China, but have evolved into a call for wider democratic reforms and a halt to sliding freedoms.
Riot police fire tear gas to disperse protesters taking part in a rally against the police brutality on Sunday evening. In the background protesters wave flags warning of tear gas
Riot police used tear gas throughout the afternoon and evening in Yuen Long yesterday after tense standoffs with protesters, some of whom were throwing projectiles and had surrounded a police van. Pictured: The scene today
Semi-autonomous Hong Kong has been plunged into its worst crisis in recent history after millions of demonstrators took to the streets and sporadic violent confrontations erupted between police and pockets of hardcore protesters. Pictured: Police today
Police officers help a trapped car among protesters during the demonstration today. Protesters were told not to march, but took to the streets again and spilled into unsanctioned areas
Protesters react from tear gas as they face off with riot policemen on a street in Hong Kong. They all wear masks and goggles to protect themselves from the gas
Pro-democracy protesters set up their own barriers at Causeway Bay during a protest against police violence during previous marches, in central Hong Kong
Riot police are pictured stationed near the China’s liaison office during the mass protest today. The demonstrations over the last seven weeks were triggered by a controversial bill which would have allowed extraditions to mainland China, but have evolved into a call for wider democratic reforms and a halt to sliding freedoms
A journalist is injured as riot police clash with protesters near China’s liaison office. he bows his head as he is escorted away from the street by police
One young activist throws a tear gas canister which was fired by police as they face off on the street in the evening there
Yet the unprecedented protests with huge turnouts – as well as frequent clashes and the sacking of parliament – have had little luck persuading Beijing or Hong Kong’s leaders.
Beijing has issued increasingly shrill condemnations in the last two weeks, but has left it to the city’s government to deal with the situation.
The Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office in Beijing said it would hold a press conference on Monday afternoon.
The unprecedented protests with huge turnouts – as well as frequent clashes and the sacking of parliament – have had little luck persuading Beijing or Hong Kong’s leaders. Pictured: A pedestrian walks through an opening in a barricade set up by police outside China’s liaison office
Anti-extradition bill protesters with umbrellas attend the rally against the police brutality today. they hold up their umbrellas in unison
Beijing has issued increasingly shrill condemnations in the last two weeks, but has left it to the city’s government to deal with the situation (pictured)
City leader Carrie Lam has shown no sign of backing down beyond agreeing to suspend the extradition bill.
Her administration has faced down weeks of public anger and she has made few public appearances beyond visiting injured officers and holding a handful of press conferences.
Pro-democracy lawmaker Claudia Mo said the city was now trapped in a ‘vicious cycle’ where huge peaceful marches that have been ignored by the government end with violence between police and small groups of hardcore protesters.
Pro-democracy lawmaker Claudia Mo said the city was now trapped in a ‘vicious cycle’ where huge peaceful marches that have been ignored by the government end with violence between police and small groups of hardcore protesters. Pictured: A protester in his protective gear
‘You see force being escalated on both sides but then this is a huge imbalance because the police are in possession of deadly weapons. This sums up Hong Kong today,’ she told AFP.
Clashes have been raging for weeks. But public anger intensified to new levels a week ago when a pro-government mob of men wearing white shirts and armed with sticks attacked protesters in Yuen Long.
The town is in Hong Kong’s rural New Territories where many of the surrounding villages are known for triad connections and their staunch support for the pro-Beijing establishment.
In a rare move, police banned Saturday’s rally saying they feared reprisal attacks against villagers from protesters, a decision that only heightened anger towards a force already perceived to be protecting pro-government aggressors. Pictured: Today’s protest
That brazen assault resulted in at least 45 people being taken to hospital. Police were heavily criticised for being too slow to respond to the violence, fuelling accusations of collusion or turning a blind eye to the pro-government mob – allegations the force has denied.
In a rare move, police banned Saturday’s rally saying they feared reprisal attacks against villagers from protesters, a decision that only heightened anger towards a force already perceived to be protecting pro-government aggressors.
They also banned a proposed march on Sunday. But on both days protesters simply ignored the orders.
A man wearing a hard hat does not resist as police arrest him for his part in the march today. In front of the demonstrator lies his megaphone
Riot police hold a sign warning protesters that there is tear gas. The sign also has the English translation
On Saturday small groups of more hardcore protesters, many in helmets and carrying shields, confronted police outside the villages and accused them of protecting triads.
Tensions quickly rose and a now-familiar pattern of running battles between police and protesters began.
Rubber bullets were fired later in the clashes, which ended when officers baton-charged the last remaining demonstrators inside the town’s metro station, leaving pools of blood in the same concourse where the suspected triads had attacked the previous weekend.
Police on Sunday said 13 arrests were made in Yuen Long.
Among them was Max Chung, a young activist who had initially applied for permission to hold the Yuen Long protest. He was arrested for inciting an illegal assembly.