Thousands of Hong Kong protesters surround police headquarters

HONG KONG — Hong Kong’s protest movement shifted its focus to the territory’s embattled police force after thousands of demonstrators surrounded the department’s headquarters Friday, signaling no end to the conflict that drove an estimated 2 million people to the streets last Sunday.

The tense standoff under sweltering tropical heat comes a day after student groups demanded Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam fully retract an extradition bill that many viewed as a threat to the city’s autonomy and for her to open an independent investigation of police conduct at a violent protest June 12 against the proposed legislation.

The Hong Kong government issued a statement Friday evening local time that did not address the protesters’ demands but did say it respected the public’s right to procession and assembly.

“The protests today caused much inconvenience to the community by disrupting traffic and many public services,” the statement said, urging protesters to act “peacefully and rationally.”

Lam suspended the bill, which would have allowed Hong Kong to send people to China for trial, last Saturday. She issued a public apology at a news conference Tuesday that was widely dismissed by critics. An independent investigation wasn’t necessary, Lam said, because existing channels for complaints already exist.

Demonstrators outside police headquarters in Wan Chai, a few minutes walk from the government offices that served as the main target of protesters, said they were there because Lam’s response wasn’t satisfactory. They said they were prepared to stay as long as necessary to have their demands met. Barricades were erected several blocks away, forming a perimeter that complicated any plans to send police reinforcements.

“They’re trapped in their headquarters,” said a 43-year-old demonstrator who would only give his first name, Mario, for fear of being identified by authorities. “It’s humiliating for them and it’s encouraging for us.”

All entrances to the compound were blocked, including one gate that was surrounded by demonstrators singing to police, “Sing Hallelujah to the Lord,” the unofficial protest hymn of the last two weeks.

At another entrance, a police van filled with officers was surrounded and blocked from leaving.

Fernando Cheung, a legislator for the opposition Labor Party, tried to persuade the protesters to let the police go.

“The crowd did not agree,” said Cheung, who acknowledged that the lack of leadership within the protest movement made conditions more volatile. But he ultimately blamed the police and Hong Kong’s government for the conflict.

“They failed to answer the call of the people,” he said. “They are hiding in their offices and the crowds are still very angry.”

The police van was allowed to leave later in the afternoon.

Hong Kong’s police have kept a low profile on the streets of this city of 7 million since they were scorned for firing tear gas, rubber bullets and beanbags while also clubbing unarmed demonstrators with batons June 12. Their conduct helped galvanize the massive turnout Sunday.

Amnesty International identified 14 cases of excessive use of force by police June 12, it said in a report released Friday.

“The use of force during the protest violated international human rights law and standards,” the group said.