Protesters, police face off again over anti-government grievances
Violence erupts following afternoon march
HONG KONG» Protesters in Hong Kong threw gasoline bombs and police fired tear gas Saturday in renewed clashes over antigovernment grievances.
Reporters saw at least one person arrested after violence erupted after an afternoon march by several thousand people in Tuen Mun, a district in the northwest part of the Chinese territory.
Hong Kong is in the fourth month of sometimes violent protests that occur every weekend. They started with opposition to a proposed extradition law and have expanded to include demands for greater democracy.
Most protesters in Tuen Mun were peaceful, but some threw gasoline bombs and bricks toward police who faced them down the street. They appeared to fall short of the police, and there was no indication that anyone was hit.
In the evening, protesters gathered at a shopping mall in another district, Yuen Long. Some threw gasoline bombs in the street. A government statement said some were thrown toward police vehicles, endangering the officers inside, but gave no indication that anyone was injured.
In both areas, police with riot helmets and shields responded by firing tear gas.
Elsewhere, scuffles were reported as government supporters heeded a call by a proBeijing member of the Hong Kong legislature to tear down protest posters at subway stations.
The events are an embarrassment for China’s Communist Party before Oct. 1 celebrations of its 70th anniversary in power. Hong Kong’s government has canceled a fireworks display that day, citing concern for public safety.
The protesters in Tuen Mun marched about a mile and a half from a playground to a government office building. Many were dressed in black and carried umbrellas, a symbol of their movement.
Protesters chanted “Reclaim Hong Kong!” and “Revolution of our times!”
Most were peaceful, but some took down a Chinese flag from a pole outside a government office and set fire to it. Protesters also set up barricades to block traffic.