Hong Kong’s anti-government protesters have again defied police warnings and are rallying in Tai Po, under the watch of weary officers.
Four planned marches over the weekend were all banned by police on the grounds of a high risk of violence, including this one and another in Wong Tai Sin, which did not materialise.
More than 1,000 demonstrators are continuing their sit-in at the city’s airport, and some earlier gathered in Central to renew calls for their five demands, including a full withdrawal of the extradition bill, and setting up an independent investigation into police handling of the unrest. Officers have been accused of using excessive force.
Protesters who have kicked off an earlier march in Tai Po are now taking a break after most of the procession has reached the end point. Some are going home but others are discussing where else to go.
>'Leave immediately' On the police Facebook page, the force says people gathering at the junction of Kwong Fuk Road and Nam Wan Road are committing the offence of “participating in an unauthorised assembly”. Police appeal to members of the public to leave immediately, and advise motorists to stay tuned for traffic updates.
Liam Hall
Demonstrators, mostly in black, continue to arrive at the airport. The crowd has grown to an estimated 2,000 people from fewer than 100 in the morning.
After about 10 minutes of heated discussions, the crowd on Nam Wan Road decides to retreat for one block and set up barricades there, instead of staying only 50 metres from police in full riot gear. Those who advocate withdrawal say police have planned for a long time and could round up a great number of protesters. Those insisting on staying say they will make their own choices. Protesters on the front line eventually agree to retreat after a middle-aged man tells them to save energy for the march in Island East tomorrow (Sunday).
In Wong Tai Sin, where a planned march was cancelled after it failed to secure a non-objection letter from the police, residents go about their lives as usual in shopping malls, parks and sprawling housing estates.
The only sign hinting at the political crisis in the city is the mostly empty Wong Tai Sin Temple. The iconic landmark, a tourist attraction, is unusually quiet for a Saturday with only a handful of worshippers seen.
Earlier in the day, the row of shops selling joss sticks and incense outside the temple gate closed in anticipation of gatherings. A shop owner, who was busy packing up and refused to give her name, says she has suffered a sharp decline in customer numbers in the past two weeks. But she adds that she understands why youngsters are protesting. “It was all Carrie Lam’s fault. If she was not so arrogant and incompetent, things would not have come to this.”
Barricades made with metal barriers are set up on Nam Wan Road after protesters retreated, extending their distance from a riot police cordon to about 100 metres. Behind the roadblock, protesters are still discussing whether to stay or move on.
>Organiser of Sham Shui Po rally loses appeal The Appeal Board on Public Meetings and Processions has upheld the police’s decision to issue a letter of objection to a planned extradition bill protest in Sham Shui Po tomorrow (Sunday). An organiser surnamed Ho says the rally is now “dead”, but she will not tell other protesters what to do. “We will not organise or promote the rally any more. But we are not aware of and we have no right to interfere with what other people may intend to do,” she says, adding she has no plans to organise future protests in the local district at the moment. Ho slams the force’s decision to ban it as an abuse of power, and urges an urgent review of the Public Order Ordinance that “restricts freedom of expression of Hongkongers”. “We feel very angry and upset by the police ban despite all the reassurances we have given them, including ending the event earlier. Police only cite the August 6 incident when local residents surrounded the Sham Shui Po Police Station, but that was only because they unreasonably arrested a person for buying laser pens," Ho says.
Gabriel Young
>Focus shifts to Tai Wai After another round of discussion among frontline protesters, thousands gathering on Nam Wan Road in Tai Po have decided to leave for Tai Wai. Sha Tin and Mong Kok were also options discussed, but not chosen.
Demonstrators at the city's airport are set to begin a silent protest, with their eyes or mouths covered by pieces of black cloth. They want to protest against Hongkongers being silenced and suppressed, as well as other government moves deemed by them as unreasonable.
Everyone left, even the riot police. Some went to Shatin, others to get something to eat in Mongkok.
Kayden Scott
As protesters from Tai Po continue to arrive in Tai Wai, a banner is unfurled on a footbridge, carrying the now-common slogan “Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times”.
Meanwhile others wave the American flag, saying it symbolises democracy, freedom and human rights. They urge the US Congress to pass the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act as soon as possible.
I have a boner already for when the chicoms roll in and gun all of these zog muppets down...
Daniel Powell
A small group of protesters have appeared on Tai Wo Road in Tai Po again, which was earlier mostly cleared. Police raise a blue flag to warn of use of force if they do not comply with orders to leave.
Protesters gathered earlier in New Town Plaza and blocked most of the pathway between the MTR exit A and the mall. Black-clad, wearing helmets and carrying open umbrellas, the protesters shouted “add oil” in encouragement before many moved on. The mall was the site of violent clashes in July when a Sha Tin march descended into chaos and police entered the complex, which protesters had gone into.
Protesters in Tai Wai are heading to Hung Hom on train after paralysing a major link between Che Kung Miu Road and Mei Tin Road. The Cross-Harbour Tunnel, a target in previous protests, could be the focus of a flash mob again.
At least a dozen rounds of tear gas have been fired on Mei Tin Road in Tai Wai.
Joshua Mitchell
>Cross-Harbour Tunnel blockade under way Hundreds of protesters in Hung Hom are now trying to block the Cross-Harbour Tunnel, a key link between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Traffic is seriously disrupted. The site has been a target in previous protests.
Levi Collins
The southbound side of the Cross-Harbour Tunnel is now blocked, and protesters allowed a few more vehicles through on the northbound side, but are also blocking it. Some protesters are moving into the tunnel.
Protesters have dumped traffic cones all over the road in front of the Cross-Harbour Tunnel, and are now heading towards the shopping hub of Tsim Sha Tsui and main thoroughfare Nathan Road.
>Organisers lose appeal against ban for second Sunday march Organisers of the Hong Kong Island East march tomorrow (Sunday) have also lost their appeal against the police's letter of objection. They had planned to march from Victoria Park to Java Road Playground in North Point, but the force only approved the rally at Victoria Park. The organisers condemn the police decision, calling it a "blatant attack on rights guaranteed by the Basic Law [the city's mini-constitution]".
Jaxon Williams
>Protesters pushed back in Tai Wai At the site where tear gas was used, police have pushed protesters back from an earlier roundabout they had occupied. twitter.com/Olgawys/status/1160147079198470144
Jayden Richardson
Police have fired a new round of tear gas in Tai Wai, further pushing back protesters. KMB bus driver Lau, in his 50s, found himself overwhelmed by the gas. He says it happened very quickly and he did not see it coming. twitter.com/Olgawys/status/1160153071223095296
>49 posts by this ID >54 posts ITT nigga, like, calm down
Alexander Edwards
The afternoon prayer session at Khalsa Diwan Temple has concluded. President Narinder Singh estimates that more than 100 people showed up. “Sikhs have been in Hong Kong since the 1840s. It’s our home, and it breaks our hearts to see what’s happening,” he says. For Surachna Kaur, a government employee and mother of two, today’s prayer was an exception - they normally come on Sundays. “I’m worried ... We want Hong Kong to prosper and be happy,” she says. The afternoon prayer was carefully selected from Sikh scriptures. “The world is going up in flames,” attendees earlier chanted, sitting cross-legged in the main hall of the temple. “Shower it with your mercy, and save it.”
Dylan Harris
>Tai Wai cleared Roads in Tai Wai, where tear gas was used, have been cleared. To sum up, police stormed in from Mei Tin Road and began to fire rounds of tear gas from a long distance. They kept using tear gas along the way and forced protesters back onto Che Kung Miu Road, where officers then moved in to disperse the crowd. More than 10 police vehicles were deployed in the operation. twitter.com/Olgawys/status/1160155925274959872
Jace Sullivan
im really excited for this.a significant urban population just in HK can rise up, just imagine the day this spreads to mainland china. the current regime is a disgrace for humanity. its just a matter of time imo.
Nicholas Gonzalez
Any links to live feeds about please?
Easton Walker
Protesters have arrived on Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui, chanting slogans such as "Free Hong Kong, Democracy Now", "No rioters Only Tyranny" and "Five demands must all be met" along their way from Hung Hom. They do not block Nathan Road, instead walking on the pavement towards Jordan and Mong Kok.
Tear gas has been fired at Tsim Sha Tsui Police Station on Nathan Road, but some protesters still insist on staying outside the building. Meanwhile, dozens of protesters flood Xiqu Centre in the West Kowloon Cultural District, with some saying their next target is the Western Harbour Tunnel, another major link between Kowloon and Hong Kong Island.
>going outside
Noah Sullivan
Stop being a fag and go out there and get tear gassed. Everyone should get tear gassed once in their life. It builds character.
Anthony Robinson
Nathan Road in the busy shopping hub of Tsim Sha Tsui has been brought to a standstill after officers fired three rounds of tear gas from the police station.
nobody cares, user. The mainland will roll you over with tanks if shit hits the fan, like in 1989
Mason Jackson
>An overview
The main battlegrounds today centred on Tai Wai in Sha Tin, and then Tsim Sha Tsui Police Station, where tear gas was used at both sites. This came after flash mobs fanned out across the city following an illegal march in Tai Po.
The Cross-Harbour Tunnel in Hung Hom was briefly blocked but is now cleared.
Meanwhile, at the airport, a second day of a sit-in continues, with the crowd now numbering in the thousands.
At Sha Tin's New Town Plaza, some protesters have occupied the building and most shops are closed.
Dylan Ross
Some protesters have arrived in Mong Kok and are deciding where to go next.
is this sti-in still going on? usually airports aren't public spaces, i.e. they are private property of the airport company, and so protests wouldn't be tolerated there in most western countries. but western countries have muslim bombers, so they don't fuck about with airport shenanigans.
Gabriel Scott
>Onlookers heckle police in TST In Tsim Sha Tsui, one of two spots today in which police used tear gas on protesters, some officers are starting to retreat when onlookers start calling them "black cops", a term used by protesters to label the force as rotten. They also shout "triads" at police, a reference to the Yuen Long attack weeks ago where a white-clad mob, suspected to be gang members, beat up commuters indiscriminately. Police were accused of arriving late to the scene deliberately. Amid the verbal confrontation, officers appear to cancel their retreat, choosing instead to continue standing their ground. twitter.com/Olgawys/status/1160172862121992192
Yes, it's still going on.
Blake Turner
Some protesters have arrived in Wong Tai Sin, but they are staying in the station, fearing a heavy police presence on the ground will be unfavourable for them. They are still mulling their next move.
>Calls to release woman in TST At Tsim Sha Tsui, where a stand-off between onlookers and police is under way, a woman has been pinned down by officers. This agitates the crowd further, and they chant: "Release her!" twitter.com/Olgawys/status/1160178102099558401
Benjamin Martin
>Lawmakers arrive in TST Pro-democracy lawmaker Ted Hui Chi-fung is in Tsim Sha Tsui, questioning police about a woman being detained at the scene. Civic Party lawmaker Alvin Yeung Ngok-kiu, who is also there, says: "Those who handle public relations for police are not doing their job. They don't answer the questions of lawmakers and reporters." Yeung is referring to queries from the crowd over why the woman was arrested. Some angry protesters shout at officers: "Can you understand Cantonese?"
Benjamin Gray
>Tai Po Tai Wo Road cleared Tai Po Tai Wo Road, earlier the site of a stand-off between protesters and police, is mostly cleared, with only a handful of onlookers remaining on the scene.
Brody Foster
they wouldn't dare
Isaac Parker
Another group of protesters have arrived in Kowloon Bay and intend to head to Ngau Tau Kok Police Station.
>Police condemn 'violent acts' Police have condemned what they say are violent acts in Tai Wai and Tsim Sha Tsui this evening in two separate statements. For Tai Wai, they say a large group of protesters set up barricades at the roundabout on Che Kung Miu Road, paralysing traffic in the area. They also slam protesters for starting fires outside Tsim Sha Tsui Police Station, adding that this posed a serious threat to public safety. The force confirmed it used tear gas to disperse crowds at both sites.
Connor Hernandez
Protesters are blocking Wai Yip Street near Ngau Tau Kok Police Station. Laser beams are pointed at the station's windows.
>Tsuen Wan becomes new protest site, more tear gas in TST Protesters are now targeting another district, arriving in Tsuen Wan to block roads with barricades. Police have not caught up yet. Meanwhile, new rounds of tear gas are fired in the stand-off at Tsim Sha Tsui.
At least five rounds of tear gas were fired moments ago from Tsim Sha Tsui Police Station at the crowd outside. Witnesses say officers only raised the warning flag inside the station, and many did not see it. A majority of people are shoppers and tourists.
Not sure if protesters would know how to use them.
