Protesters, Riot Police Injured After Violent Clashes in Hong Kong Mall
Clashes and chaos have moved from the street to a shopping mall in Hong Kong after tens of thousands rallied in the residential district of Sha Tin, amid weeks of anti-government unrest that shows no sign of stopping. The protest was peaceful for most of the day, but scuffles broke out when Police started clearing streets after nightfall.
Some protesters retreated into a shopping complex where they and police hit each other with clubs and umbrellas. Footage posted on social media showed both protesters and police violently beating individuals laying on the mall floor. Other footage showed Police being bombarded with umbrellas and parents fleeing the area with small children. Police appeared to arrest some people, but there were no reports as to how many.
The violence wound down toward midnight as the remaining protesters left the area. Organisers said 110,000 protesters took part, while Police put the number at 28,000, according to broadcaster RTHK. Protesters were demanding an investigation into complaints that police assaulted participants in earlier demonstrations.
Protests continue despite promise to quash extradition law
Millions have taken to the streets over the past month in some of the largest and most violent protests in decades.
The protests began in opposition to a proposed extradition law but have swelled to include complaints about an influx of mainland Chinese into Hong Kong and that Chief Executive Carrie Lam’s Government fails to address the needs of its people.
Ms Lam’s Government suspended action last month on the extradition bill. It would have allowed Hong Kong crime suspects to be transferred to the mainland, where the ruling Communist Party controls the court system. Although Hong Kong’s embattled leader has said the extradition bill is “dead”, opponents said they would settle for nothing short of its formal withdrawal.
‘Promises, but no sign of fulfilling them’
Ms Lam apologised for her handling of the legislation, but critics are demanding she resign. “Carrie Lam has been hiding. She has made many promises, but she has not been able to fulfil them. There is no sign she is going to fulfil them.”
In a separate demonstration earlier on Sunday, a group representing Hong Kong journalists marched to Ms Lam’s office on Hong Kong Island to highlight complaints that Police beat and obstructed reporters at earlier demonstrations.
“It seems that they have deliberately targeted the journalists,” said Chris Yeung, chairman of the Hong Kong Journalists Association.
Police issued a statement promising better training for officers and communication with reporters. “There is room for improvement,” the statement said.
It promised “appropriate followup actions” for complaints of mistreatment.
Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule in 1997 under a “one country, two systems” formula that guarantees its people freedoms for 50 years that are not enjoyed in mainland China, including the liberty to protest and an independent judiciary.
Beijing denies interfering in Hong Kong affairs, but many residents worry about what they see as an erosion of those freedoms and a relentless march toward mainland control.