Hundreds of anti-extradition protesters yesterday took their fight to Beijing's Liaison Office in the western part of Hong Kong island, Sheung Wan and Central, in a violent showdown with riot police who fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd. The protesters arrived at the office at 7pm, sprayed graffiti on the walls, defaced the office's plaque and threw eggs at the building. Despite repeated police warnings, they moved slowly away from the Liaison Office towards Sheung Wan and Central. The police fired rounds of tear gas and later, rubber bullets, in a bid to disperse the group that refused to leave Sheung Wan, near Shun Tak Centre. Details are not available as to the number of injured or arrested. A spokesman for the Liaison Office strongly condemned protesters who vandalised the building and defaced the national emblem, saying the actions were a direct challenge to national sovereignty. Former Hong Kong leader Leung Chun Ying, now a vice-chairman of Beijing's top … [Read more...] about HK protesters vandalise Beijing’s Liaison Office
How to protest police brutality
Senators warn of street protests if Ja New’s attackers go free
Members of the upper house called on the government to strongly reject widespread accusations in the social media that it was behind the brutal attack, in order to prevent the incident from being used to incite political conflict. Senator Jetn Sirathranont said that he and fellow members would file for a parliamentary investigation into the incident if the authorities made no progress. "A parliamentary channel should be used to find a way out. I don't want this matter to be used as a political move to ignite street demonstrations," he said at the TOT Auditorium where Parliament is temporarily based. Sirawit, who is better known as "Ja New" (Sergeant New), was left severely injured with a broken nose and fractured eye socket after four helmeted men arrived on two motorcycles and beat him with sticks around noon last Friday near his home. Other senators also expressed their concern, asking Royal Thai Police chief Pol General Chakthip Chaijinda, who is also a senator, to speed up … [Read more...] about Senators warn of street protests if Ja New’s attackers go free
Hong Kong police slam ‘illegal’ protest as HQ siege ends
Hong Kong has been shaken by massive anti-government rallies this month HONG KONG - Hong Kong police on Saturday slammed an "illegal" blockade of its headquarters after a 15-hour siege by anti-government demonstrators calling for the resignation of the city's pro-Beijing leader.Thousands of largely young protesters surrounded the building throughout Friday and into the small hours of Saturday morning, the latest manifestation of angry demonstrations sweeping Hong Kong.The international finance hub has been rocked by the worst political unrest since its 1997 handover to China. Millions have marched this month to oppose a proposed law that would have allowed extraditions to the Chinese mainland.Officers also used tear gas and rubber bullets last week to clear protesters during another massive demonstration outside the city's parliament, fanning widespread anger at the police.The spark for the current wave of protests was an attempt by chief executive Carrie Lam to pass the … [Read more...] about Hong Kong police slam ‘illegal’ protest as HQ siege ends
Hong Kong police slam ‘illegal, irrational’ HQ protest
Hong Kong has been shaken by a wave of massive anti-government protests HONG KONG - Hong Kong police on Saturday slammed anti-government protesters for besieging their headquarters, calling the demonstration "illegal and irrational" as they vowed to pursue the ringleaders."Police have shown the greatest tolerance of protesters who assembled outside PHQ (police headquarters) but their means of expressing views has become illegal, irrational and unreasonable," the city's police said in a statement."Police will stringently follow up on these illegal activities."Thousands of protesters blockaded the police headquarters throughout Friday and into the small hours of Saturday morning, the latest manifestation of angry demonstrations sweeping the city.The international finance hub has been rocked by the worst political unrest since its 1997 handover to China. Millions have marched this month to oppose a proposed law that would have allowed extraditions to the Chinese … [Read more...] about Hong Kong police slam ‘illegal, irrational’ HQ protest
Hong Kong protesters threaten more demos if demands not met
HONG KONG: Hong Kong student groups were preparing to mobilise support for another major demonstration, a union leader said, as a Thursday deadline approached for the pro-Beijing government to respond to demands of protesters who have shaken the city with massive rallies. Millions have marched this month to oppose a proposed law that would have allowed extraditions to the Chinese mainland, but the huge protest movement has morphed into a larger rebuke of Hong Kong’s administration. Under-fire chief executive Carrie Lam has apologised and suspended the controversial bill, but that has failed to quell the opposition, with protesters demanding she step down and completely withdraw the legislation. A network of students at universities and higher education institutions is preparing to mobilise based on a 5.00pm Thursday deadline circulating online for several demands to be met, said So Tsun Fung, president of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) Students Union. In addition to … [Read more...] about Hong Kong protesters threaten more demos if demands not met