Twin demonstrations are planned for Sunday, one in Tseung Kwan O in the eastern New Territories and another across the harbor in Kennedy Town on the northwestern end of Hong Kong Island. Protesters have also organized general strikes for Monday morning, as well as demonstrations in seven different parts of the city.
While the vast majority of the city remains safe, the protests have affected daily life in many popular areas — especially on weekends.
Protesters vandalized the exterior of the Tsim Sha Tsui police station, destroyed multiple vehicles and set a fire. They also appeared to be using laser pointers against officers, a tactic that has not been prevalent at previous demonstrations.
Traffic lights were also shut off after underground cables were dug up and cut, while railings were pulled from the sidewalk to use as barriers against riot police.
Pitched battles between riot police and protesters raged into the night. Police accused protesters of throwing petrol bombs, bricks, glass bottles and other objects at officers, with more than 20 arrested for offenses including unlawful assembly and assault.
Many protesters wore makeshift protective gear. Some used pool toys as shields while others had wrapped their extremities in cellophane to protect their skin from tear gas.
Heated confrontations also took place in Wong Tai Sin, about 5 kilometers (3.2 miles) away from Mong Kok.
A smaller gathering in support of the police was held Saturday in Victoria Park, Causeway Bay, titled “Give Peace a Chance.” It ended without violence.
However after nine weeks of protests, the movement appears to be taking an economic toll. Business leaders say sales are down compared to last year, while one firm found that the number of flight bookings to the city appears to be falling.
“One country, two systems” was enacted when the UK handed control of Hong Kong to China in 1997, and was supposed to guarantee that Hong Kongers would continue to enjoy legal and political rights not granted in mainland China.
“We are pessimistic about Hong Kong but we still have to come out — because if we don’t, we lose our last slither of hope,” one man, surnamed Yu, told CNN at the Mong Kok march on Saturday.
Source : Nbcnewyork
