Protesters, Hong Kong police play a game of cat-and-mouse

HONG KONG — The distinctive clang of metal hitting pavement echoed across Hong Kong.

Over several hours, in successive waves on Sunday, different districts filled with the sound of protesters erecting and just as hastily taking down their improvised barricades.

While past nights of protest have ended in protracted standoffs between demonstrators and riot police, rally participants this time took a different tack. Since their pro-democracy movement began two months earlier, they have repeated to one another: “Be Water” — an attitude of adaptability that was on full display as they occupied and vacated with equal swiftness five different neighborhoods.

“We can’t defend it!” was the cry that signaled to protesters it was time to move out. It meant that police had appeared and were firing tear gas. A person holding a large purple banner that said “Move Back Slowly” led demonstrators to the nearest public transit and toward another target.

“We are not just another Chinese city, and this is not yet 2047,” said rally participant Cara Lee. “I feel ashamed because for a long time we didn’t do anything. But now we are awake. I have to speak for the next generation.”

Protesters’ five major demands include the release of arrested demonstrators, an independent investigation into alleged police abuse and the dissolution of the current legislature.

Sunday’s rallies kicked off at public parks in different parts of the city. One quickly devolved after protesters used what appeared to be a long, homemade slingshot to hurl rocks and bricks at a police station.