Hong Kong violence worsens after police fire tear gas
Video and photos show police attacking protesters
Violence in Hong Kong has worsened as riot police fired tear gas into a railway station to disperse crowds and were filmed beating protesters with batons as they fled down an escalator at another station.
As mass demonstrations calling for democracy entered their 10th consecutive week, petrol bombs and bricks were thrown at riot police who then charged at protesters with batons.
A number of people, including a police officer, were injured in the clashes. Police were also filmed firing rubber bullets at close range inside a rail station.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
“Two months of demonstrations sparked by a controversial extradition bill show no signs of abating,” says the BBC, “with both sides hardening their stance.”
The bill, which would have allowed extraditions to mainland China, has been suspended but demonstrators want it to be fully withdrawn.
Their demands have also widened, to incorporate calls for an independent inquiry into claims of police brutality, and for Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam to resign.
Although the bill sparked the largest demonstrations since Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule in 1997, Lam has steadfastly refused to meet any demands beyond the pledge that the bill is now “suspended”.
Sky News says that the Hong Kong police have been “slammed by the protest groups for being too violent and then criticised from above for being too weak,” adding: “in the last 24 hours they have clearly decided that they aren't going to be seen as weak anymore”.
Protesters were injured as undercover riot police took to task a crowd in Causeway Bay and began to arrest people. Widely shared photos on social media showed one woman bleeding heavily from her eye after she was hit by police fire at another demonstration.
The battleground is now moving beyond the streets. The airline Cathay Pacific has caved in to pressure from China, sacking two ground crew and suspending a pilot for “misconduct” in supporting the Hong Kong pro-democracy protests.
The Hong Kong carrier said it suspended a pilot who took part in pro-democracy protests, and faces charges for rioting. It has also fired two ground staff members for allegedly leaking the travel arrangements for a Hong Kong police football team travelling to the mainland for a tournament.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Why Man United finally lost patience with ten Hag
Talking Point After another loss United sacked ten Hag in hopes of success in the Champion's League
By The Week UK Published
-
Who are the markets backing in the US election?
Talking Point Speculators are piling in on the Trump trade. A Harris victory would come as a surprise
By The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: November 3, 2024
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published