Tear gas was fired in Hong Kong’s residential district of Wong Tai Sin on Saturday night as police cleared a crowd of protesters and local residents who were angry at their presence.
Police said 20 were arrested on Saturday for offences such as unlawful assembly and assault.
As anti-extradition law protesters were cleared from thoroughfares in Mong Kok and Tsim Sha Tsui, several hundred demonstrators had marched through Kowloon City to surround Wong Tai Sin police station late Saturday night.
After riot police arrested several people near Wong Tai Sin’s MTR station, a crowd of local residents gathered to prevent police vehicles from leaving.
Some of the crowd surrounded a stranded police van and attacked officers with objects such as umbrellas and set off fire extinguishers.
Shortly after midnight, police began to deploy tear gas against the crowd.
A volley of tear gas fired in Wong Tai Sin shortly after 1am.
In full: https://t.co/kmLJLFCnSX pic.twitter.com/PZ30QYA1OW
— Hong Kong Free Press (@HongKongFP) August 3, 2019
Over the course of the night, several objects fell from height at the Wong Tai Sin Disciplined Services Quarters towards the crowd below.
After repeated but futile warnings, the Police are now using tear gas to disperse the violent protestors. The Police appeal to everyone at the scene to leave immediately and not to charge Police cordon lines.
— Hong Kong Police Force (@hkpoliceforce) August 3, 2019
Apple Daily also reported that inhabitants of the dormitory chased people taking refuge from the tear gas with sticks.
In response, some protesters shone lasers at the dormitory buildings. They later charged forward and fought with the inhabitants guarding the complex’s entrance.
HKFP’s full footage of the fight between protesters and inhabitants of a police dormitory in Wong Tai Sin.
Protesters attacked after objects – including firecrackers – were apparently thrown from the building towards the crowd below.
In full: https://t.co/kmLJLFCnSX pic.twitter.com/6AywnqQY1V
— Hong Kong Free Press (@HongKongFP) August 3, 2019
As riot police fired more volleys of tear gas after 1am, protesters retreated to briefly occupy Lung Cheung Road – the district’s main thoroughfare – before dispersing.
Riot police continued to stand guard outside the Disciplined Services Quarters into the early hours in a small stand-off, as they were heckled by locals and cars honked their horns in protest.
Protesters and Wong Tai Sin residents climb through Lung Cheung Road to escape from tear gas.
In full: https://t.co/kmLJLFCnSX pic.twitter.com/Gcy01kKYGO
— Hong Kong Free Press (@HongKongFP) August 3, 2019
In a statement, the police accused protesters of hurling objects into the complex and damaging the gates of its car park: “Police strongly condemn the radical protestors who disregarded law and order. Resolute enforcement actions will be taken against all illegal and violent acts. Police are capable and determined to maintain law and order and will not tolerate any violence,” a statement said.
Mong Kok police station
Meanwhile, also around midnight, a crowd surrounded Mong Kok police station in Prince Edward, jeering at police vehicles.
Riot police advanced from Mong Kok police station shortly after 12:30am on Sunday morning to disperse a spontaneous protest.
Video: Demosisto.
In full: https://t.co/kmLJLFTZhx pic.twitter.com/HRA3QBlvWr
— Hong Kong Free Press (@HongKongFP) August 3, 2019
Riot police later advanced from the police station, subduing and arresting several people in the vicinity. However, some of the arrested people were heard shouting that they were only passers-by.
Marches are planned for Tseung Kwan O and Sai Wan on Sunday afternoon – although police have only approved a rally for the latter event.
