Tear-gas Fired In Western Amid Tense Stand-off

Riot police have fired tear-gas around Queen’s Road West near Beijing’s Liaison Office in Western district after hundreds of protesters flooded out onto the streets following an anti-extradition rally at Belcher Bay Park.

After several volleys of tear-gas were fired, many protesters ran into the HKU MTR station to escape the noxious fumes.

Large groups of protesters, mostly clad in black and suited up with helmets and masks, had marched east towards Beijing’s Liaison Office after leaving the rally at the park, as some tore down fences along the way.

Some called on passersby to join them and urged people to close the windows of their flats, while others urged onlookers to join a planned strike on Monday.

Riot police set up cordons on key streets including Connaught Road West and Des Voeux Road West, close to the Liaison Office, which has been the focus of previous rowdy protests.

Most of the protesters did not directly confront the police, choosing to stay at least a full block away.

Nonetheless, police fired tear gas after warning the protesters through a loudhailer that they are taking part in an illegal procession and urging them to leave.

Officers were also seen dismantling makeshift barricades placed on the roads.

Many protesters responded by urging their compatriots to head to Causeway Bay instead, prompting hundreds to go into nearby MTR stations.

Organisers of the rally had received police permission onto to hold a demonstration at the park, but their application for a march through Western had been turned down.

Many shops in the area have closed their shutters as traffic is diverted.

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