Hong Kong riot police have subdued at least two protesters in Sha Tin, after demonstrators damaged the area’s MTR station, formed a roadblock and started a fire on one of the main roads.
At around 5:45pm, protesters created a makeshift barricade on Yuen Wo Road and set objects on fire before riot police stepped in. Police raised a black flag, warning they may use tear gas.
In Shatin, some protesters threw objects at police and lit barricades on fire, while police have shot projectiles in return.
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After protesters threw objects at the police from the Sha Tin Centre mall’s outdoor podium at 6:10pm, tear gas was fired to disperse them.
Hong Kong has entered the 16th week of protests since June, which was sparked by a now-axed extradition bill that would have allowed case-by-case fugitive transfers to mainland China. Large-scale protests have morphed into sometimes violent displays of dissent over Beijing’s encroachment and alleged police brutality, with thousands gathering at malls this week to sing protest songs.
Protesters initially gathered at the Sha Tin New Town Plaza mall at around noon on Sunday, following a call for people to go “shopping” and hinder businesses at the mall which they deemed to be pro-government.
Also targeted with protest stickers was snack store Best Mart 360. Its owners are accused of having close ties with Fujianese clans, in turn accused of beating protesters in North Point.
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They targeted brands under Maxim’s conglomerate, including three Chinese restaurants, Starbucks, Simplylife and COVA by putting stickers on their windows and logos. Some repeatedly pressed the queuing ticketing machines at Chinese restaurants Jade Garden and Chiu Chow Garden in protest.
Other brands being targeted included mainland brands Huawei and Heytea. Best Mart 360, whose boss was accused of having links to Fujian groups who beat up protesters in recent weeks, was also a target.
Many also sang protest songs and chanted slogans inside the mall during a sit-in.
At around 4pm, protesters removed a Chinese national flag from the Sha Tin Town Hall and brought it back to the mall for others to step on. Some spray-painted the flag black, poured water on it and jabbed it with an umbrella.
The flag was put into a trash cart and the cart was thrown into a pond at Sha Tin Park, before it was taken out and thrown into the Shing Mun River.
Following that, protesters turned their attention to Sha Tin MTR station. They spray-painted ticket machines, and used tools to damage entrance gates.
See also: Explainer: ‘The Communist Party’s Railway’—How Hong Kong’s once-respected MTR fell afoul of protesters
They formed a barricade outside the station entrance with objects taken from the mall to hinder any potential police action.
They also poured dish detergent on the floor and used a fire hose to spray water.
At around 4:30pm, a man was punched by protesters after he removed posters pasted by protesters onto a pillar of the New Town Plaza mall.
Train services at Sha Tin station were halted at around 4:50pm.
Demonstrators had also threatened to disrupt transport services at the airport on Sunday, but train and bus services were put on lockdown amid a heavy police presence.
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