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SCMP Reporters

Hong Kong faces its 13th straight weekend of civil unrest after thousands of protesters defy a police ban and throng the streets of Hong Kong Island on Saturday, with tear gas and water cannons fired at crowds outside the government headquarters, while demonstrators break through fences around the legislature.
An earlier Christian rally in Wan Chai morphed into a procession and authorities shut down recreational facilities and an MTR station, before more people gathered at Chater Garden for an illegal march. A day earlier police launched a crackdown by arresting prominent pro-democracy activists and at least three lawmakers for their alleged involvement in demonstrations sparked by the now-shelved extradition bill.
Defiant protesters have said they would demonstrate regardless of police refusing permission for a mass march and rally by the Civil Human Rights Front, which has called off the events. Police said they would enforce the law.
Follow our live blog below for updates.
  
Reporting by Karen Zhang, Fiona Sun, Nicola Chan, Kelly Ho, Nectar Gan, Victor Ting, Josephine Ma, Mimi Lau, Jeffie Lam, Phila Siu, Lee Jeong-ho, Alvin Lum, Chris Lau, Emily Tsang and Danny Lee 


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Hong Kong protests

As it happened: stand-off outside Mong Kok Police Station as protesters vent anger over beatings on MTR train

Photo: Felix Wong

Prominent activists and lawmakers arrested in Hong Kong police crackdown, fuelling tensions as protesters vow to defy march ban over the weekend

Joshua Wong and Agnes Chow were detained on a number of charges. Photo: Edmond So

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, which was nowhere to be seen on Friday, uploaded a video on her Facebook page, urging citizens to treasure Hong Kong as their home. 30AUG19. FACEBOOK.

Andy Chan Ho-tin, leader of the banned Hong Kong National Party, is seen at the protests. 12JUN19

Lawmaker Jeremy Tam Man-ho attends the Legislative Council Meeting on the consideration of amendments to the Appropriation Bill 2018 at the Legislative Council in Tamar. 09MAY18 SCMP / Sam Tsang

Lawmaker Au Nok-hin attends the meeting of the Southern District Council in Aberdeen. 07MAR19 SCMP / Winson Wong

Protesters inside the main chamber with a colonial flag after they stormed the Legislative Council Chamber in Tamar during a protest against the extradition bill on the 22nd anniversary of Hong Kong's handover from Britain to China. 01JUL19 SCMP / SCMP / ANTONY DICKSON

A Christian group marches towards Chief Executive Carrie Lam's house to support the anti-extradition bill protesters in Hong Kong, China August 30, 2019. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui

Cheng Chung-tai attends the Legislative Council meeting on the censure motion, at the Legislative Council in Tamar. Civic Passion lawmaker Cheng is facing a motion to censure him for desecrating the national flag and Hong Kong flag in 2016. 16MAY18 SCMP / Nora Tam

News

Hong Kong

Politics



Kwun Tong, Tsuen Wan, Tseung Kwan O, Island and South Island lines all suspended

Police 'raptors' seen storming into Prince Edward station, beating at least four passengers with batons



Others retreat to busy shopping hub of Causeway Bay after violent clashes near government complex. Tensions high following arrests of anti-government activists and pro-democracy lawmakers the day before.


Hong Kong extradition bill

Live

Protesters are heading out for the 13th consecutive weekend of demonstrations in Hong Kong, sparked by the now-abandoned extradition bill, which would have allowed criminal suspects to be sent back to mainland China.
The Civil Human Rights Front, the organisers of the biggest protests seen in Hong Kong since the political crisis erupted in early June, have cancelled their plans for a march and rally on Saturday after an appeal board upheld a police decision to ban the events over public safety.
The front had originally planned to gather at Chater Garden in Central at 3pm and march to the liaison office, Beijing’s representative body in the city, in Western district.
It was to mark the fifth anniversary of Beijing’s announcement of a restrictive electoral reform package that was eventually rejected by Hong Kong.
The main demands of the anti-government movement include the bill’s full withdrawal, an inquiry into police handling of their protests and genuine universal suffrage.
 


Where we are ...

The coalition behind a two-day general strike planned for Monday have said it will go ahead. 
Police issued a letter of objection on Friday to a rally scheduled for Monday at Salisbury Garden in Tsim Sha Tsui, citing public safety reasons and the impact on residents, tourists and shops in the prime business district. 
The organisers, from a coalition of protest groups including the Confederation of Trade Unions, said they had lodged an appeal against the decision on Friday, adding the strike on September 2 and 3 would go ahead. 
“Salisbury Garden had been used for a rally before, so we have a precedent for that,” said the rally applicant, surnamed Tang.
Organisers had also applied for a strike rally in Admiralty on Monday and another rally in Central on Tuesday, but were awaiting a response from the force.
 


Strike to go ahead

Hong Kong’s railway operator has announced Sai Ying Pun station will close at 1.30pm, ahead of a banned demonstration due to start at 3pm.
“Sai Ying Pun station will be closed and trains will not stop at Sai Ying Pun station starting from 1.30pm until further notice in order to ensure the safety of passengers and our staff,” the MTR Corporation said in a statement.
Sitting on the Island line, Sai Ying Pun station is close to the central government's liaison office, which was the planned destination of the banned march by the Civil Human Rights Front. 
“Crowd management measures may have to be implemented in some stations on the Island line and train service may be adjusted,” the MTR statement said.
These measures, it added, could include closing station entrances and exits, trains skipping stops and station closures.
The rail company was embroiled in controversy last weekend after officials were accused of inconveniencing passengers and suppressing demonstrations by shutting down services before and during protests.

Photo: May Tse

 


MTR station near to Beijing office to close

As protesters plan to hit the streets again, Chinese state media warns that the central government has powers to quell any unrest that cannot be contained by the Hong Kong government.
A commentary published on Saturday by Communist Party mouthpiece People's Daily says the radicals and the opposition in Hong Kong are challenging China's national sovereignty.
“If someone thinks they are clever and believes that escalating violence will force the central government to make concessions on principle issues, they are just overrating their ability, like an ant trying to shake a tree," it says.
“If there is turmoil in Hong Kong that cannot be controlled by the SAR [special administrative region] government, the central government will never sit idly by.”
Based on the Basic Law, the central government has sufficient ways and power to quickly quell all kinds of unrest that may occur, it says.
The commentary adds making compromise now will only incite more violence, and resolutely saying no to violence is the bottom line of the rule of law and the consensus of civilised society.
Another People's Daily analysis describes “radical groups” in Hong Kong as terrorist organisations.


Beijing will ‘never sit idly by’

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department has announced the closure of some facilities in a statement. 
The Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park Swimming Pool, Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park Sports Centre, Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park Soccer Pitch, Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park Basketball Courts, Sheung Wan Sports Centre, Hong Kong City Hall and Sheung Wan Civic Centre in Central and Western District were closed at 1pm. 
More facilities in the same district or others in affected areas will be closed early and at short notice if needed, a spokesman says. 
"Members of the public who plan to go to those venues are advised to contact the venues concerned in advance," he adds.


Recreational facilities closed

A man dressed as Moses is among rally-goers at the Christian "Pray for Sinners" gathering in Southorn Playground. He holds up a plaque listing the "Five Commandments", which are demands put forth by protesters. 



The 'Five Commandments'

At Southorn Playground in Wan Chai, where a Christian rally is under way with Hong Kong kicking off its 13th straight weekend of protests, police arrive but are heckled by the crowd. The officers later leave to chants of "black cops" and "triads". pic.twitter.com/FCkApLknEn
— SCMP Hong Kong (@SCMPHongKong) August 31, 2019


Police heckled

Near Beijing's liaison office in Sai Ying Pun, a row of police vehicles and water cannon trucks are on standby. 




Water cannons on standby

Barricades and pedestrian blocks have been set up in Sai Ying Pun near the liaison office, with the area becoming a ghost town. 



Photos: May Tse


Barricades up, all quiet in Sai Ying Pun

Napo Wong Weng-chi, a member of the League of Social Democrats, is telling commuters how to use alternative transport outside Sai Ying Pun MTR station. He says the practice of cordoning off areas near the liaison office is similar to previous protests. 
"It is still hard to predict what will happen in the afternoon. But on the last two occasions, protesters didn’t come."


Usual practice?

People gathering for a Christian rally have started to walk towards the police headquarters in Wan Chai.
Video: SCMP/Fiona Sun#HongKongProtests pic.twitter.com/LvWfTE7hEW
— SCMP Hong Kong (@SCMPHongKong) August 31, 2019


Procession heads to police HQ

A crowd is gathering at Chater Garden, the starting point of a banned march. Most are clad in black and masked. Apart from youngsters, many middle-aged and elderly people are also present. 



Crowd at Chater Garden

In front of the Methodist Church in Wan Chai, hundreds of people are chanting: "Save the home of Hongkongers." 
They are singing hymns and quoting the Bible. Police said last night under the Public Order Ordinance, any procession comprising more than 30 members requires the chief of the force to be notified. 

Photo: Xiaomei Chen


Hymns and Bible quotes

At the police headquarters in Wan Chai, an officer has raised the yellow flag warning that the crowd has breached laws and can be prosecuted. 
Most protesters arrived from the rally in Southorn Playground, with more following suit. 



Yellow flag warning

A new four-metre tall Hong Kong Statue of Democracy, crowdfunded on the LIHKG forum, has made its first appearance on the campus of Chinese University, according to the school’s student press.
The design of the statue is inspired by the outfit of protesters.
The team behind the statue said earlier that they hoped the figure would demonstrate Hongkongers’ resilience and indomitable spirit.
Photos: Chinese University Student Press, Warton Li




Meanwhile, at Chinese University

More people are marching from Southorn Playground to the police HQ in Wan Chai.
Photos by Dickson Lee and Xiaomei Chen.



 


Scenes from Wan Chai

At Causeway Bay, some protesters dressed in black are gathered next to SOGO, chanting slogans such as “Five demands, not one less” and “Add oil, Hongkongers”. #hongkongprotests
Video: SCMP/Kelly Ho pic.twitter.com/28qAutWlvu
— SCMP Hong Kong (@SCMPHongKong) August 31, 2019


More than 200 protesters in Causeway Bay

Crowds continue to gather at Chater Garden in Central despite plans for a rally there being banned by police, a decision upheld by an appeal board.
John Cheung Kwok-keung, a 30-year-old import and export businessman by day, is out distributing supplies including meals coupons, masks and T-shirts, which he says mainly come from the rich parents of young protesters. 

Cheung says he has been supporting Hong Kong protesters since June and has been running this weekly stand of supplies inside subway stations without any issues, until today when he says he was thrown out by six MTR staffers.
“They asked for my identity and ordered me to leave immediately before threatening to throw away my stuff altogether.
“This is the first time I have encountered such hostility from subway staffers,” Cheung says.
He adds he is not deterred by warnings from police about attending illegal protests.
 


Banned rally crowd grows

Protesters who came from the Christian rally in Southorn Playground and gathered outside the police headquarters in Wan Chai are now leaving. They are on Upper Albert Road and heading in the direction of Government House, the official residence of Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor. 
 


Protesters head to Government House

Two black banners are seen hanging on the footbridge from Arsenal House in Wan Chai. They call for a strike in September to "fight tyranny".



'Fight tyranny'

Beijing hits back at European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, who said developments in Hong Kong with the arrest of pro-democracy activists were “extremely worrying”.
Pro-democracy lawmakers and high-profile activists were arrested on Friday for their alleged involvement in various anti-government protests since June.
A statement from the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong says: “The European politician has confused right from wrong.
“The politician is obstructing the SAR [Special Administrative Region] police from enforcing the law, and siding with and harbouring illegal violent acts. It is grossly interfering in Hong Kong affairs,” the statement says.
 


Beijing responds to EU comment on arrests

The yellow flag has been raised by riot police on Garden Road, near St John's Building in Central. Dozens of riot police warn protesters they are participating in an unauthorised assembly.
No roadblocks have been set up by protesters, with the procession travelling mostly along pedestrian paths. 
While protesters claim they are participating in a religious event which does not require police approval, an officer at the scene says the exemption only applies to rallies but not marches. 


Photos by Sam Tsang, Alvin Lum


Yellow flag on Garden Road

Police warn in a statement that those occupying Hennessy Road are taking part in an unauthorised assembly.
It refers to those marching from the rally at Southorn Playground to police headquarters, also in Wan Chai. They were later seen moving in the direction of Government House.
“Police warn the group to stop occupying the carriageway, and respect other citizens’ rights while expressing their views,” the force says.
“Police appeal to everyone on site to leave immediately.
“Drivers are advised to avoid travelling to the area and stay tuned to the latest traffic arrangement.”
 


‘Stop occupying the road’

Covy Wong, a 43-year-old nurse, is waiting with a group of friends inside Central MTR station to join the banned march. 
She says she is worried about possible arrests, but has decided to come out anyway. 
"The repression is too high now, I’m afraid if I don’t come out today, I’ll never be able to in the future," says Wong, who has joined nearly every major protest since the movement started in June. 
She describes Friday's string of arrests of the city’s pro-democracy activists and lawmakers as "insane". 
"The government wants to frighten us into not coming out, but only by defying it and staying united can we go forward."


'The government wants to frighten us'

Former Civic Party lawmaker Audrey Eu has hit out at Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam for sending conflicting signals by arresting lawmakers and prominent activists, despite wanting a "platform for dialogue". 
"The government is pushing all reasonable Hong Kong people to the point of no return," Eu adds. 
On reports that Beijing had rejected Lam's proposal to fully withdraw the now-shelved extradition bill, Eu says the chief executive should still have tried her best or resign.
"As a mother, how can you bear to see teenagers on the front line, how do you even sleep each night?" she says. 


Lam slammed for 'conflicting signals'

Following his arrest on Friday, pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong Chi-fung was in Causeway Bay outside SOGO earlier this afternoon, where people dressed in black gathered to chant anti-government slogans.
In defiant reference to the banning of public assemblies, he said he will be “shopping” around Hong Kong Island today, and called for protesters to stand up against “white terror”.

Wong, who is on police bail after being charged with protest-related offences, said his conditions did not prohibit him from taking part in a protest.
He also urged city leader Carrie Lam to admit she is no longer the decision-maker and asked President Xi Jinping to stop hiding behind Hong Kong’s riot police.
 


Joshua Wong appears

The skies have opened up but in Central, protesters are taking shelter in covered car parks and chanting slogans to keep the momentum going. Among the crowd are middle-aged people, the elderly and young men and women in black. 
 


Rain does not deter crowds

At the lower terminus of the Peak Tram ride, officers are seen forming a line. Photo by Sam Tsang. 



Riot police hold line on Garden Road

Pro-democracy lawmaker Claudia Mo believes the turnout at #hongkongprotests today will be huge. She said Carrie Lam and the police force have "added fuel to the flame" and that the timing of activists' arrest was "no coincidence".
Video: SCMP/Chris Lau pic.twitter.com/bfNCnOemVo
— SCMP Hong Kong (@SCMPHongKong) August 31, 2019


Lawmaker expects huge turnout

The crowd in Chater Garden, Central, is growing despite the rain, with those who earlier attended the rally in Wan Chai swelling the ranks.

Those who moved on Government House, the official residence of Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam, are also joining.
A seemingly endless flow of protesters, pictured below, undeterred by the downpour outside, line up to exit Central Station to join those in Chater Garden, which was the site of a banned rally that was then cancelled by its official organisers.


 


Chater Garden crowd grows

Hundreds of protesters have marched up Garden Road through Justice Place in the pouring rain.
In high spirits, they chant “Fight for freedom, Stand with Hong Kong”, and sometimes sing hymns. 
A police cordon on Upper Albert Road and Albert Path stops their progress. The protesters shout “black cops” at police before heading downhill back towards Central.


Police cordon stops protesters

Hundreds of protesters earlier attempted to march to Government House after stopping at the police headquarters in Wan Chai following a Christian rally in Southorn Playground.
But with riot police holding their line on Upper Albert Road and Albert Path, they turned back towards Central. Angry members of the crowd heckled officers, calling them "dirty cops", but did not engage in further action. 
In Central, hundreds are gathering at Chater Garden, the starting point of a banned march. There is no police presence there. 
In Causeway Bay, protesters have blocked Yee Wo Street outside the Sogo department store and are marching towards Admiralty. No officers have been spotted yet. 
From media footage of the various places where protesters have amassed, the overall turnout of people out on the streets is now into the tens of thousands. 


An overview: tens of thousands out on streets

Protesters gathering in Causeway Bay are setting up barricades and blocking Hennessy Road carriageways, seriously obstructing traffic, a police spokesman say.  
"They are participating in an unauthorised assembly," he says. 
He appeals to members of the public to leave immediately. Due to the obstructions, drivers are advised to stay tuned to the latest traffic arrangements, he adds.
All six lanes of Hennessy Road are now occupied by protesters who are marching towards Admiralty.


Barricades going up on Hennessy Road

Rail operator the MTR Corporation has announced it will close five exits of Sheung Wan station to protect the safety of passengers and its staff in light of the public events nearby.
The affected exits are A1, C, E2, E4 and E5. Passengers are advised to enter the station via other exits.


MTR to close five exits at Sheung Wan station

An article on the social media account of the Communist Party's Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission condemns the stabbing of an off-duty police officer by three masked men in Kwai Chung on Friday night.
"Anyone with a conscience will be angry at such a brutal and despicable act," it says. "Severe legal punishment is waiting for these rioters."
The Hong Kong police's determination to enforce the law will not be shaken, it says.


Party's legal affairs commission condemns stabbing

 More protesters in Causeway Bay are moving towards Wan Chai.



Protesters on the move

Scenes from Central

Protesters who were in Chater Garden have taken over Des Voeux Road Central and are heading west, in the direction of where Beijing's liaison office is located.

 


Protesters heading in direction of liaison office

Hundreds of protesters are marching towards Chater Garden from Admiralty, chanting "save our freedom" along the way.  
Meanwhile, a banner on Queensway reads: "We want democracy." Among the crowd is a woman, 34, surnamed Ho, who says she will not stop until the government hears her voice. 



'We will not stop'

Police have so far issued three statements warning protesters they are taking part in an unauthorised assembly and occupying key thoroughfares on Hennessy, Queensway and Garden roads.
"Police warn the protesters to stop their illegal acts immediately," the force says in its latest statement.


Police issue third warning

"Fight for freedom, stand with Hong Kong," protesters are chanting as they continue to move away from Chater Garden in Central.
Middle-aged people who walk past young protesters clap their hands and say: "Thank you, Hong Kong's young people, thank you."


Support for protesters

A student surnamed Lam, 17, and his friends are lingering at Sogo in Causeway Bay, their faces covered up.
"We are just here to shop around," he says. "We are also promoting the five demands by protesters to others."
Lam says he favours non-violent protests, but the government has not responded to demonstrators. "I feel desperate," he says. "I don't object to being a bit aggressive, if by doing so we can make authorities hear our appeals."

 


'I feel desperate' 

Among those out on the streets is 14-year-old Jeremy Wong, holding a mask in his hands in readiness. He says he wants the government to listen to the people and respond to the protesters' five demands.
Wong attended earlier protests, including ones where tear gas and beanbag rounds were used. He also helped move metal barricades. 
“There’s no room to be afraid, if we don’t step up maybe we won't be able to do so in future,” he says. 
Although his family supports the cause, he sometimes has to sneak out of his home to attend rallies.


 


'There’s no room to be afraid'

Five years ago today, amid a familiar sense of anger and frustration, thousands of Hongkongers gathered in Tamar Park in Admiralty, vowing to protest against Beijing's decision to control the electoral process in the city. 
Beijing had handed down the "831 [August 31] framework", which would effectively allow the central government to screen candidates in the local chief executive elections. 
Occupy Central co-founder Benny Tai Yiu-ting declared the city had officially entered an "era of civil disobedience".
The 79-day mass sit-ins that followed on September 28, 2014, led to police firing 87 rounds of tear gas to disperse crowds on Hong Kong Island. 
Tai and another co-founder were recently thrown behind bars with a third member given a suspended sentence. 
Today's banned march was meant to mark the fifth anniversary of Bejing's announcement of the framework, which was eventually rejected by Hong Kong. 




A significant date: 831

At least two of the three lawmakers held by police since Friday night over their alleged criminal involvement in protests have been released.
Civic Party lawmaker Jeremy Tam Man-ho was released on bail from Tsuen Wan police station.
Another pro-democracy politician Au Nok-hin was also released on bail and is expected to meet the press at 4.30pm.
Speaking outside the station, Tam says police accused him of obstructing police officers in execution of their duties on June 7.
He believes police arrested him for political reasons, to scare Hongkongers from taking to the streets on Saturday.
“It has been almost two months,” he says outside the police station, referring to the date of the alleged offence.
“That I was arrested yesterday shows the police are trying to intimidate people from taking to the streets.”
The status of the third arrested lawmaker Cheng Chung-tai is not known.
Also arrested on Friday over demonstrations were young activists Joshua Wong Chi-fung and Agnes Chow Ting, who have since been charged and granted bail, and Andy Chan Ho-tin, convenor of the now-outlawed Hong Kong National Party.
Wong was seen earlier during today's protests in Causeway Bay.

 

 
 

 


Arrested lawmakers released on bail

Hundreds of protesters are still walking from Causeway Bay towards Wan Chai, with some shouting: "Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our time."
Some are waving "Hong Kong independence" and British colonial flags. 
Stickers with slogans such as "add oil" are handed out to people.



Many protesters still on the move

At least two helicopters are seen flying above Causeway Bay and Central.
Shouts go out immediately for protesters to open their umbrellas.
 
Helicopters have been spotted flying above Central and Causeway Bay, understood to be from the Government Flying Service. Protesters have opened their umbrellas in response. #hongkongprotests
Video: Alvin Lum pic.twitter.com/41MXUsnec8
— SCMP Hong Kong (@SCMPHongKong) August 31, 2019


Helicopters arrive

Thousands of protesters are marching from Central to the government headquarters in Admiralty. Harcourt Road, outside the complex, has been occupied.
Police warn in a statement that a large group of protesters are blocking the carriageways of Des Voeux Road Central and Connaught Road Central, seriously paralysing traffic.
The force warns that they are taking part in an unauthorised assembly.


Harcourt Road occupied

A protester waves a homemade flag featuring Pepe the Frog, attracting many onlookers.
The cartoon frog, who became a symbol of America’s alt-right movement resulting in his creator killing him off, has become a wildly popular mascot of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement this summer.
You can read more about Pepe here.
 


Homemade Pepe flag

Two teenagers, a male and a female, aged 16 and 19, and a 30-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of possessing offensive weapons in Kwun Tong at 5.30am on Saturday.
Police said they seized a 20cm knife, and other deadly weapons. The trio are being detained for investigation, a police spokesman said on Saturday afternoon.
He said officers were patrolling Fu Tung Estate and Yau Tong Estate in Kwun Tong, and detected something suspicious.
 


Three held on suspicion of possessing offensive weapons

Yellow stars on a red banner in the shape of a swastika are displayed by a group of protesters on Des Voeux Road Central as the crowd marches towards Sheung Wan.
The banner also bears the word “Chinazi”.




'Chinazi' banner

Protesters urge others to open their umbrellas after spotting five police officers from a vantage point at the Central Government Office.
"Open your umbrella. You don't have a mask," one young man tells a middle-aged couple, hinting the march is unlawful.
Laser beams are pointed at the officers, while some of the marchers call them "triads".


Umbrella cover

Police in riot gear have arrived and replaced uniformed officers at an alley on Third Street where a few men and women were taken away for selling protective gear at a booth.
Dozens of onlookers are shouting at them from across the street.
Police have taken away a few men and women, who allegedly were selling protest gear in a shop in an alley on Third Street in the Sai Ying Pun area. The operators called the temporary booth a “national calamity alloy shop”. #hongkongprotests
Video: SCMP/Josephine Ma pic.twitter.com/NS9jnyEPvP
— SCMP Hong Kong (@SCMPHongKong) August 31, 2019



Riot police on scene

A protester all covered in black tears down a red banner celebrating the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the People's Republic of China on Hutchison House in Central.
He also damages the banner with graffiti. Other protesters chant support.
 
A protester tearing down a red banner celebrating the 70th anniversary of the establishment of People's Republic of China on Hutchison House in Central, as other cheer him on. He also damaged the banner with graffiti. #hongkongprotests
Video: SCMP/Nicola Chan pic.twitter.com/FuQjDKPkTS
— SCMP Hong Kong (@SCMPHongKong) August 31, 2019


National Day banner vandalised

A protester surnamed Kwong brings a tennis racquet to the protest, a popular item used to return tear gas canisters during clashes with the police.  
The 19-year-old says the police objection to the Civil Human Rights Front’s rally and march will not scare away determined protesters.
He also believes the arrests of pro-democracy activists and legislators on Friday will not stop protesters from taking to the streets, due to the leaderless nature of the anti-government movement.
“Police can arrest as many high-profile activists or lawmakers as they want, but they will never succeed in crushing the movement, because there is no single leader,” Kwong says.



Protesters 'will not be scared away'

About half a dozen officers are lined up behind water barriers guarding the government headquarters. On the other side, protesters are shouting abuse at them.
Riot police are also stationed in the Legislative Council (bottom photo). 


 


Police guarding government complex

Some protesters are handing out leaflets listing shops and restaurants they are calling to be boycotted.
They say the owners of these shops have expressed pro-government views and should be economically sanctioned.


As it happened: stand-off outside Mong Kok Police Station as protesters vent anger over beatings on MTR train

Kwun Tong, Tsuen Wan, Tseung Kwan O, Island and South Island lines all suspended Police 'raptors' seen storming into Prince Edward station, beating at least four passengers with batons

Kwun Tong, Tsuen Wan, Tseung Kwan O, Island and South Island lines all suspended

Police 'raptors' seen storming into Prince Edward station, beating at least four passengers with batons