Striking photos show how this weekend's Hong Kong protests escalated into violence with makeshift weapons, water cannons, and tear gas
In June, Hong Kong residents began protesting a now-suspended bill that would have allowed courts to extradite them to mainland China. Bill critics argued Hong Kong residents would be subjected to unfair trials and worse legal protections in the mainland.
The protests then grew into a fight over democracy in the semi-autonomous region, addressing free elections and independent investigations into alleged police brutality.
Source: Business Insider, Insider
For the past 12 weeks, hundreds of thousands of protesters have organized several large-scale marches, the storming of government buildings, widespread strikes around the city, and the shutting down of an airport. Some have been peaceful, others violent.
Source: Business Insider
In recent weeks, China has toughened its crackdown on those it deems supportive of the unrest. Experts say it's part of China's strategy to intimidate and spread disinformation in response to the pro-democracy protests, which show no sign of slowing.
Source: Business Insider
The protests were had a peaceful streak for the past two weeks, but they escalated into violence on their 12th consecutive weekend.
Source: Business Insider
A peaceful march was planned for Saturday to protest against government-installed "smart lampposts," which the Hong Kong government said only collect data on traffic, weather, and air quality. However, the lampposts sparked concerns among residents over state surveillance.
Source: AP
"Hong Kong people's private information is already being extradited to China," organizer Ventus Lau told the Associated Press ahead of the procession. "We have to be very concerned."
Source: AP
The march occurred in Kwun Tong at 1 p.m. Around 2:30 p.m., a group of protesters constructed makeshift street barricades and weapons. Police reportedly formed a defense line and urged protestors to disperse.
Source: Hong Kong Free Press
The policemen in riot gear and protesters who set up the makeshift street barricades ended up clashing outside a police station and near a shopping mall.
Source: AP
Protesters reportedly dismantled some poles with saws and ropes, shutting down streets and wielding slingshots, poles, iron bars, and bricks in a fight with police.
Source: Business Insider
Police fired pepper spray and tear gas, breaking a 10-day streak of no tear gas and adding to the 1,800 canisters police said they have fired in the clashes since the movement's actions first emerged in June.
Source: Business Insider
The weekend's violence continued on Sunday. Protesters began marching on a rainy day around 2:30 p.m. at Kwai Chung Sports Ground to Tsuen Wan Park, where more clashes began.
Source: Hong Kong Free Press
Protesters reportedly chanted: "The five core demands, we won't accept anything less" and "corrupt cops, give us the eye back." The latter referred to an incident on August 11, when a woman was reportedly shot in the eye with a beanbag round.
Source: Hong Kong Free Press, Business Insider
Protesters encountered police as they neared the endpoint, marked by makeshift roadblocks. Democratic Party legislator Andrew Wan reportedly tried to mediate and ask the police to wait for protesters to leave, but was unsuccessful.
Source: Hong Kong Free Press
Protesters threw at least six petrol bombs, sprayed detergent on roads to make them slippery for police, and threw bricks.
Source: Reuters
Police deployed tear gas. They also used water cannons for the first time, directing them towards barricades and open space without targeting protesters.
Source: Reuters, Business Insider
The police force had reportedly purchased three Mercedes Benz trucks worth HK$27 million (roughly $34 million). After months of preparation, they deployed two of them.
Source: Hong Kong Free Press
A few Tsuen Wan marchers told the Hong Kong Free Press they hoped protests would continue into September, when there's a planned class boycott among students.
Source: Hong Kong Free Press
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