Hong Kong students brave pepper spray in clashes with riot police

10 years ago | Posted in: Latest Politics News | 524 Views

(Reuters) – Hong Kong riot police used pepper spray to disperse protesters around government headquarters on Saturday, fuelling tension ahead of a planned sit-in by pro-democracy activists to protest against Beijing’s tightening grip on the city.

Clashes through the night between police and demonstrators underscore the challenges China faces in shaping its vision for Hong Kong’s political future as a restive younger generation challenges its influence in the former British colony.

Several people suffered minor injuries.

Hundreds of students and demonstrators had forced their way past a police cordon and scaled perimeter fences at government headquarters, close to Hong Kong’s financial district, on Friday in the culmination of a week-long rally to demand free elections in the Asian financial center.

Several thousand protesters massed on streets outside the headquarters in support of those who had stormed inside, shouting “retreat, retreat, retreat” as police advanced and tried to stop them charging.

Many protesters used umbrellas to shield them from pepper spray, while those who got hit used water to rinse their eyes.

“I paid my highest respect to every soldier who defends till the last moment … civil disobedience, it continues to happen,” student leader Lester Shum said on his Facebook page… see more

source: reuters

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