Hong Kong Protests Continue for 17th Straight Weekend

"Although Sunday's (9/29/2019) march drew thousands of peaceful protesters of all ages, it took an aggressive turn. Police and protesters clashed on Sunday afternoon, with protesters throwing bricks and petrol bombs and setting fires on the street."

"A pro-democracy protester throws a tear gas canister back at police amid clashes on Sunday." (9/29/2019)

"But Saturday's (9/28/2019) protests also ended in aggression, with protesters throwing bricks and petrol bombs at the government buildings, and police using water cannons on the activists."

"A pro-democracy protester burns a banner during a march in Hong Kong."

"As Hong Kong demonstrators continue to protest, mainland China is preparing to celebrate National Day."

"On Tuesday, (9/31/2019) President Xi Jinping will oversee a special National Day military parade in Beijing, featuring about 15,000 personnel, more than 160 aircraft and 580 pieces of weaponry and equipment."

"Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam will head to Beijing on Monday (9/30/2019) to take part."

"Back in Hong Kong, protesters are already gearing up for more demonstrations to coincide with National Day. Pressure will be on the Hong Kong authorities to ensure that the city's unrest does not overshadow Beijing's celebrations."

"Besides the anti-government unrest in Hong Kong, Xi is also facing other challenges, including the ongoing US-China trade war."

Some protesters regrouped outside the headquarters and threw bricks and petrol bombs at officers. Riot police later fired rounds of teargas at protesters outside an upmarket shopping centre in Admiralty and near the government headquarters. They also used water cannon to spray protesters with water mixed with blue dye and stinging chemicals.

Dozens of protesters were arrested after being chased by police, with many tackled to the ground and some left bleeding heavily. A number of protesters were also made to line up against the wall on the main road.

As activists retreated from Admiralty, some made makeshift barricades and set them ablaze. Street fires were also started in the Wan Chai district in an attempt to stop the police from approaching.

Some protesters later threw petrol bombs at police who had entered Wan Chai metro station, the public broadcaster RTHK reported. It also said undercover police wearing black clothing typical of protesters were seen retreating into the station with the help of uniformed officers. Police have admitted sending officers disguised as protesters to carry out operations during demonstrations.

A young man in full protective gear said: “I don’t want violence either, but the authorities are using hardline measures against us, so I’m fighting against them with my life.”

After dark, more clashes took place and police again fired multiple rounds of teargas. Large groups of riot police encroached on a diminishing group of protesters in Causeway Bay after a water cannon put out fires.

Dozens of protesters marched towards a large group of riot police, prompting officers to deploy teargas.

Later in the evening, police left the scene in vans as protesters jeered at them. Some activists threw sticks and bricks and a police vehicle stopped to fire two rounds of teargas. More teargas was fired late at night in Wan Chai, local media reported.

Earlier in the day, helicopters had hovered above the protest areas as demonstrators opened their umbrellas, saying they feared an unknown liquid was being sprayed at them.

A number of middle-aged people said they were there to protect young protesters.

“These kids feel hopeless and they’re willing to give their lives even – they need us to protect them,” said Vanita Chan, 55, who said she had bought supplies such as saline, goggles and raincoats to hand out to protesters.

A woman identified only as Mrs Lau, 56, said: “If we don’t speak up now there won’t be another opportunity, the Hong Kong and Chinese governments are cracking down on us already.

“We don’t want our next generation to lose our freedoms. We don’t accept one country, one system.” This was a reference to China’s agreement to give Hong Kong semi-autonomy – “one country, two systems” – after taking control of the city back from the UK in 1997.

Many shops in the area closed. Protesters spray-painted a closed Starbucks cafe in Wan Chai with messages calling on people to boycott it. The company that runs the cafe chain in Hong Kong is seen by protesters as being pro-Beijing.

Young protesters wearing black were digging up paving stones at a crossroads in Wan Chai while others smashed glass panels at a metro exit of Wan Chai station, which has been closed. The outer walls of the exit were also spray-painted with anti-police messages and “Free HK”, “Reclaim HK, revolution of our era”.