Protesters Disperse After Another Night Of Chaos

Police cleared large parts of Sheung Wan and Western districts late on Sunday after hundreds of people defied a ban on demonstrating there. Dozens of rounds of tear gas were fired in multiple locations and about 50 arrests were made. At least 16 people were injured.

The protests began with a surprise change of direction after people gathered in Chater Garden. One group moved towards Causeway Bay while another went to Western Police station. Splinter groups from both then moved to various locations around the Sheung Wan area, including Beijing's Liaison office.

Police moved eastward along Des Voux and Connaught roads, and north along Morrison, Cleverly and Hillier streets, firing rounds of tear gas. There were reports of multiple casualties.

Earlier police accused a group of protesters near Western police station of throwing bricks, and said another group started a fire near Western Market. Police fired tear gas at around 7 pm, and did so again more than half an hour later.

Police and demonstrators were also locked in a confrontation on Connaught Road West, near the Macau ferry pier.

Later in the night, Sheung Wan MTR station became extremely crowded with people trying to leave the area.

The widespread use of tear gas in Western, a largely residential area, during dinner time has sparked controversy, coming just one day after police fired tear gas in a residential area of Yuen Long.

A woman who identified herself as Carrie said she was forced to flee the restaurant where she was eating.

She said a pregnant member of staff was choking in the bathroom when tear gas rolled into the building.

"There were families with very small children... all choking," she said.

"There were just families having their dinner, and absolutely no warning from police to local businesses or other residents to clear the area. No concern for public safety whatsoever."

A police statement later condemned what it called "radical protestors". It said officers used appropriate force and conducted dispersal operation after they were pelted with stones. Police said tear gas was used to to establish a safe distance between protestors and the officers in order to avoid direct confrontation.

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