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| Hong Kong protest: police fire teargas at demonstrators – live | Hong Kong protest: police fire teargas at demonstrators – live |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| The situation in Hong Kong is fast and fluid at the moment, with thousands of people on the streets, many attempting to leave the scene as tear gas floats through the air, according to the live feeds that I’m watching. | |
| News pictures show streams of people leaving the area, many of them rubbing their eyes and covering masks with water to alleviate the effects of the teargas. | |
| Police are warning protesters to leave, otherwise they will face another attack, according to one feed. However, they are searching protesters as they attempt to leave the area. | |
| A journalist on the Radio Television Hong Kong feed says a tear gas landed in front of him and it exploded and emitted sparks. Damon Pang, a reporter with the station, earlier tweeted this picture of a shell casing he found in the street. | |
| Something we found on Lung Wo Road, not sure #ExtraditionBill pic.twitter.com/j8L0mapxJs | |
| Police in riot gear are advancing towards the crowd, unfurling a Black Warning banner which says “Warning: Tear Smoke”, according to Verna Yu. | |
| She says swathes of people are beginning to leave the protests, but crowds outside the legislative assembly are still huge. | |
| Every shot police fire, people scream. Riot police have cleared some of the walkways. As people leave the scene they are scrambling to pick up supplies, including umbrellas - the symbol of these protests. | |
| According to a recent file from the Associated Press, officers have already used tear gas, pepper spray and high-pressure water hoses against protesters. | |
| Our reporter Verna Yu is on the scene at the legislative council as police used tear gas and fired beanbag rounds in an attempt to clear the area. | Our reporter Verna Yu is on the scene at the legislative council as police used tear gas and fired beanbag rounds in an attempt to clear the area. |
| Police attacked after some protesters moved crowd barriers and entered the covered area in front of the Legislative Council. Protesters retreated after the teargas was fired, with officers firing canisters at several locations around the council building. | Police attacked after some protesters moved crowd barriers and entered the covered area in front of the Legislative Council. Protesters retreated after the teargas was fired, with officers firing canisters at several locations around the council building. |
| At 4pm crowds were leaving Lung Wo Road and people were seen choking and covering their mouths and noses. Meanwhile, protesters were passing umbrellas and helmets to people near the police. | At 4pm crowds were leaving Lung Wo Road and people were seen choking and covering their mouths and noses. Meanwhile, protesters were passing umbrellas and helmets to people near the police. |
| Protesters outside Hong Kong’s legislative council building have been teargassed by police trying to clear the unauthorised mass demonstration taking place in the city today. | Protesters outside Hong Kong’s legislative council building have been teargassed by police trying to clear the unauthorised mass demonstration taking place in the city today. |
| Several livestreams on social media broadcast the moment, followed by a stream of tweets, and now the news agency Associated Press has flashed the news on the wires. | Several livestreams on social media broadcast the moment, followed by a stream of tweets, and now the news agency Associated Press has flashed the news on the wires. |
| This below from Reuters is the only picture filed from the scene by the agencies so far. | This below from Reuters is the only picture filed from the scene by the agencies so far. |
| Tear gas has been fired at protesters outside the legislative council building, where thousands are facing off against police in riot gear. | Tear gas has been fired at protesters outside the legislative council building, where thousands are facing off against police in riot gear. |
| Tear gas fired at #Admiralty #HongKong #ExtradictionBill pic.twitter.com/Pdq0g2DosV | Tear gas fired at #Admiralty #HongKong #ExtradictionBill pic.twitter.com/Pdq0g2DosV |
| Protesters retreat from LegCo entrance, leaving behind debris and barricades, and police fire tear gas to deter them from coming back #HongKong pic.twitter.com/gCLmJZSlNB | Protesters retreat from LegCo entrance, leaving behind debris and barricades, and police fire tear gas to deter them from coming back #HongKong pic.twitter.com/gCLmJZSlNB |
| Some Twitter users are reporting that the shot gun rounds fired at protesters earlier were bean bag rounds. | Some Twitter users are reporting that the shot gun rounds fired at protesters earlier were bean bag rounds. |
| [15:42]The police start shot(bean bag shot) to the protester. #antiELAB #savehk #prayersforhk #反送中大遊行 #noextraditiontochina #HongKong #MEMES #CarrieLam pic.twitter.com/tG1Krt19Bg | [15:42]The police start shot(bean bag shot) to the protester. #antiELAB #savehk #prayersforhk #反送中大遊行 #noextraditiontochina #HongKong #MEMES #CarrieLam pic.twitter.com/tG1Krt19Bg |
| There are now unconfirmed reports on Twitter that a police officer has fired a shotgun into the crowd. They all appear to have come from the same broadcast. I will keep an eye out to see if I can spot any kind of verification. | There are now unconfirmed reports on Twitter that a police officer has fired a shotgun into the crowd. They all appear to have come from the same broadcast. I will keep an eye out to see if I can spot any kind of verification. |
| #HongKongProtest GUN SHOT FIRED pic.twitter.com/vjj27QdbdF | #HongKongProtest GUN SHOT FIRED pic.twitter.com/vjj27QdbdF |
| Hong Kong Police is shooting at armless HK citizens #HongKongProtest #ExtraditionLaw #FreeHongKong #freedom #HumanRights pic.twitter.com/wQefZk5d2b | Hong Kong Police is shooting at armless HK citizens #HongKongProtest #ExtraditionLaw #FreeHongKong #freedom #HumanRights pic.twitter.com/wQefZk5d2b |
| #HongKongProtests pic.twitter.com/m6K13ZXjLo | #HongKongProtests pic.twitter.com/m6K13ZXjLo |
| Violence appears to have broken out on the streets of Hong Kong as police begin trying to clear the streets around the city’s goverment buildings. | Violence appears to have broken out on the streets of Hong Kong as police begin trying to clear the streets around the city’s goverment buildings. |
| Clashes on the front lines as police use baton and pepper spray.Full coverage: https://t.co/kmLJLFCnSX #NoToChinaExtradition pic.twitter.com/FnmIRU5Gmb | Clashes on the front lines as police use baton and pepper spray.Full coverage: https://t.co/kmLJLFCnSX #NoToChinaExtradition pic.twitter.com/FnmIRU5Gmb |
| First aiders treat protesters affected by pepper spray.Full coverage: https://t.co/kmLJLFCnSX #NoToChinaExtradition pic.twitter.com/Oq7sEq92BQ | First aiders treat protesters affected by pepper spray.Full coverage: https://t.co/kmLJLFCnSX #NoToChinaExtradition pic.twitter.com/Oq7sEq92BQ |
| Police use pepper spray and batons in clash with crowd #extraditionbill #HongKong https://t.co/4TCE3ViMN5 via @scmpnews pic.twitter.com/NWfi2UfE08 | Police use pepper spray and batons in clash with crowd #extraditionbill #HongKong https://t.co/4TCE3ViMN5 via @scmpnews pic.twitter.com/NWfi2UfE08 |
| Anson Chan, who was the highest ranking civil servant in Hong Kong under British rule, has said the UK has a responsibility to ensure the city’s laws are protected. | Anson Chan, who was the highest ranking civil servant in Hong Kong under British rule, has said the UK has a responsibility to ensure the city’s laws are protected. |
| Chan, who served as chief secretary of Hong Kong under governor Chris Patten, told Radio 4’s Today programme she had been on the streets of the city among protesters on Wednesday. | Chan, who served as chief secretary of Hong Kong under governor Chris Patten, told Radio 4’s Today programme she had been on the streets of the city among protesters on Wednesday. |
| The extradition bill currently under discussion in Hong Kong’s legislative committee was “the last straw” for her and her compatriots, she said. | The extradition bill currently under discussion in Hong Kong’s legislative committee was “the last straw” for her and her compatriots, she said. |
| It’s come hard on the heels of a series of actions on the part of Beijing and the government in recent years. For example the disqualifications of members in the legislative council, the imprisonment of young activists, ruling out people for standing for election purely on political grounds, the abduction of book sellers simply because they wrote salacious articles about people in the top leadership in Beijing. | It’s come hard on the heels of a series of actions on the part of Beijing and the government in recent years. For example the disqualifications of members in the legislative council, the imprisonment of young activists, ruling out people for standing for election purely on political grounds, the abduction of book sellers simply because they wrote salacious articles about people in the top leadership in Beijing. |
| Chan described promises that Hong Kong judges would retain the final say over any extradition as “empty assurances”. Hong Kong’s executive was subordinate to Beijing, she said, and could not contend with Chinese officials as equals. Chan called on the international community, particularly the UK, to intervene. | Chan described promises that Hong Kong judges would retain the final say over any extradition as “empty assurances”. Hong Kong’s executive was subordinate to Beijing, she said, and could not contend with Chinese officials as equals. Chan called on the international community, particularly the UK, to intervene. |
| It’s not just its history, the United Kingdom has a legal and moral responsibility to ensure that the promises in the joint declaration and the basic law are fulfilled and implemented. Britain is a co-signatory to the joint declaration and it must stand by Hong Kong people, particularly in the current circumstances. | It’s not just its history, the United Kingdom has a legal and moral responsibility to ensure that the promises in the joint declaration and the basic law are fulfilled and implemented. Britain is a co-signatory to the joint declaration and it must stand by Hong Kong people, particularly in the current circumstances. |
| I think international interest in Hong Kong is crucially important. This is not just an issue about the 7.3m people living in Hong Kong, at stake is Hong Kong’s reputation as a safe haven for doing business, Hong Kong’s reputation as a premier international financial services centre, and quite frankly the safety of all people living in Hong Kong - both Chinese and expatriates of whatever nationality. | I think international interest in Hong Kong is crucially important. This is not just an issue about the 7.3m people living in Hong Kong, at stake is Hong Kong’s reputation as a safe haven for doing business, Hong Kong’s reputation as a premier international financial services centre, and quite frankly the safety of all people living in Hong Kong - both Chinese and expatriates of whatever nationality. |
| Among the protesters opposing the extradition bill there is a sense of unity, purpose and urgency, according to Helen Davidson and Verna Yu, our reporters in Hong Kong . | Among the protesters opposing the extradition bill there is a sense of unity, purpose and urgency, according to Helen Davidson and Verna Yu, our reporters in Hong Kong . |
| They’ve been on the streets talking to the protesters who have shut down the city today. They report: | They’ve been on the streets talking to the protesters who have shut down the city today. They report: |
| Outside Admiralty station half a dozen people are handing out masks. A supply station is being stocked with cases of water bottles, towels, hard hats and in one case some sanitary pads and a bible. Barricades are turned into makeshift ladders, helping protesters to climb over the road divider from one side to the other. The centre of Hong Kong is a no-go zone for traffic. Taxi drivers have given up for the day and gone home. | Outside Admiralty station half a dozen people are handing out masks. A supply station is being stocked with cases of water bottles, towels, hard hats and in one case some sanitary pads and a bible. Barricades are turned into makeshift ladders, helping protesters to climb over the road divider from one side to the other. The centre of Hong Kong is a no-go zone for traffic. Taxi drivers have given up for the day and gone home. |
| Read more here: | Read more here: |
| 'Waiting for a miracle': hope and resolve on the streets of Hong Kong | 'Waiting for a miracle': hope and resolve on the streets of Hong Kong |
| Hello, this is Damien Gayle taking over the live blog from the Guardian’s London newsroom. | Hello, this is Damien Gayle taking over the live blog from the Guardian’s London newsroom. |
| Protesters in Hong Kong are digging in for the long haul after forcing a delay to a the debate on a new extradition arrangement with the mainland. They fear the bill will make political activists vulnerable to abduction by authorities in Beijing. | Protesters in Hong Kong are digging in for the long haul after forcing a delay to a the debate on a new extradition arrangement with the mainland. They fear the bill will make political activists vulnerable to abduction by authorities in Beijing. |
| The last time they staged protests, on Sunday, riot police moved in to clear the streets as soon as their permitted protest time expired. In today’s unauthorised mass protest, both police and protesters are now reportedly becoming edgy. | The last time they staged protests, on Sunday, riot police moved in to clear the streets as soon as their permitted protest time expired. In today’s unauthorised mass protest, both police and protesters are now reportedly becoming edgy. |
| It’s just after 8am in London, about 3pm in Hong Kong. These are the latest pictures coming through to us from news agencies in the city. | It’s just after 8am in London, about 3pm in Hong Kong. These are the latest pictures coming through to us from news agencies in the city. |
| Tens of thousands of people gathered in Hong Kong on Wednesday ahead of a debate on the controversial extradition laws that was due to take place in Hong Kong’s legislative council at 11am. | Tens of thousands of people gathered in Hong Kong on Wednesday ahead of a debate on the controversial extradition laws that was due to take place in Hong Kong’s legislative council at 11am. |
| The debate was called off and rescheduled “to a later time to be determined” after protesters blocked streets near the legislative council’s chamber. | The debate was called off and rescheduled “to a later time to be determined” after protesters blocked streets near the legislative council’s chamber. |
| Protesters remained on the streets, as protesters said they did not trust the government not to call the debate as soon as the roads were cleared of protesters. | Protesters remained on the streets, as protesters said they did not trust the government not to call the debate as soon as the roads were cleared of protesters. |
| Earlier in the day police in riot gear, armed with rifles, used water cannons and pepper spray to disperse protesters, who in term sought to protect themselves using umbrellas, wrapping their skin in clingfilm and wearing helmets, masks and goggles. | Earlier in the day police in riot gear, armed with rifles, used water cannons and pepper spray to disperse protesters, who in term sought to protect themselves using umbrellas, wrapping their skin in clingfilm and wearing helmets, masks and goggles. |
| Protesters seemed to be preparing for a long protest, with first-aid tents and supply stations, set up around the city. | Protesters seemed to be preparing for a long protest, with first-aid tents and supply stations, set up around the city. |
| Pro-democracy legislator Claudia Mo praised the people of Hong Kong after the vote was postponed, saying she had “underestimated people-power in Hong Kong”, but another lawmaker, Dennis Kwok warned that if the law passes: “I cannot imagine how they would channel their anger and disappointment in the Hong Kong and Central governments.” | Pro-democracy legislator Claudia Mo praised the people of Hong Kong after the vote was postponed, saying she had “underestimated people-power in Hong Kong”, but another lawmaker, Dennis Kwok warned that if the law passes: “I cannot imagine how they would channel their anger and disappointment in the Hong Kong and Central governments.” |
| The protest was in response to proposed legislation that would allow people to be extradited from Hong Kong, which has been deeply unpopular due to fears that China would be able to use the laws to target political enemies. | The protest was in response to proposed legislation that would allow people to be extradited from Hong Kong, which has been deeply unpopular due to fears that China would be able to use the laws to target political enemies. |
| Huge protests over the weekend saw more than one million people – roughly one-seventh of Hong Kong’s population – take to the streets over the laws. | Huge protests over the weekend saw more than one million people – roughly one-seventh of Hong Kong’s population – take to the streets over the laws. |