Protesters Take Over Key Roads In Causeway Bay

Thousands of anti-government demonstrators occupied key streets in Causeway Bay on Sunday evening, including Gloucester Road and Hennessy Road, after pulling out from a stand-off against riot police in Western earlier on Sunday evening. Many were seen snipping wires at traffic lights in the area, disabling some.

Buses and other traffic there were brought to a standstill, before doubling back to find other routes.

Demonstrators have put metal barriers and other objects on the road to block it off. Many started chants, calling on passersby to attend a planned city-wide strike on Monday.

The protesters quickly split up into smaller groups, heading in different directions. One group set up makeshift barricades at Percival Street and Canal Road West, while others headed towards Tin Hau.

Some protesters outside the 298 computer mall in Wanchai were heard warning people that objects were being thrown at them from above. Glass was heard breaking.

Police issued a statement warning the protesters to "stop their illegal acts and leave the site immediately." They also urged drivers to avoid the area.

Earlier, scores of riot police had taken up positions by Beijing’s Liaison Office in Western and fire several rounds of tear gas, after demonstrators who had been attending a rally at Belcher Bay Park in Kennedy Town suddenly left and started marching east.

But instead of a direct confrontation, the protesters chose to abandon the area. Many called out to each other to head instead to Causeway Bay.

Hundreds flooded onto the MTR system, many with their umbrellas open to block security cameras from identifying them.

Police were essentially left to guard a mostly empty road as the protesters resurfaced in Causeway Bay.

______________________________