Hong Kong: Hong Kong witnesses second day of violent ruffle between police and pro-democracy protesters. Tens of thousands of demonstrators defied the police ban, taking over streets near Sai Wan and Causeway Bay on Hong Kong Island. Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters trying to reach the Chinese government's office.
Police issued warnings as one group that had blocked a road near the Chinese government’s liaison office began to move forward. Officers fired tear gas to halt the advance while protesters were seen throwing eggs at them. Protesters had rallied earlier in Hong Kong’s financial district before marching out in several directions despite not winning police approval for a public procession. It was the second straight day that protesters took to the streets without official permission.
Black-shirted demonstrators streamed out into the streets. Chanting “Add oil,” a phrase that roughly means “Keep up the fight,” a crowd marched east down a thoroughfare. They stopped near a department store and set up barricades to block off the area and defend it against police. Another group headed west toward mainland China’s liaison office.
They stopped about two blocks short of the office and used construction barricades to build a wall spanning a major road. They massed behind the barriers as night fell. Police in riot gear gathered nearby ahead of the clearing operation. Officers fired tear gas and rubber bullets as demonstrators threw bricks and other objects.
Police arrested 13 people for offences, including unlawful assembly, possession of offensive weapon and assault, according to police and media. A hospital authority said 24 people were taken to five hospitals, out of which eight remained hospitalised, two in serious condition.
