Since Hong Kong’s MTR Corporation has again closed stations nearby today’s (authorised) protest march, protesters are sharing this map of the area’s pedestrian footbridge network and are warning each other to avoid Tai Wo Hau Station, since it’s next door to a police station.
Like so many times before, Hongkongers are today making their resolve to 「風雨中抱緊自由」(“hold onto freedom in the wind and rain”) literal, defying rainstorm warnings and gale-force winds earlier in the day to take their struggle to the streets of Kwai Chung.
Protesters laying out bamboo spars to stop traffic pn Yeung Uk and Luen Yan
Protesters gathering at intersection of Yeung Uk and Tai Ho where police vehicles are stationed.
Standoff between riot police and #antiELAB protesters at Yeung Uk and Tai Ho, chanting 「收隊！」
Yellow flag up.
Chants of “crooked cops, return the eye!” are taking on a renewed ferocity today after a high school student was allegedly shot in the eye by police yesterday—the 3rd since the #HKprotests began.
Brace alert for civil defence goes out for Tsuen Wan as black flag is sighted.
Tear gas deployed.
In a new first I just got hit by a brick thrown by protesters at police through the smoke.
It is urban warfare in Tsuen Wan right now. Tear gas, rubber bullets, petrol bombs, bricks and more.
More molotov cocktails falling on police in Tsuen Wan.
New water canon vehicles used for first time ever in HK to disperse crowds on Sha Tsui St: Apple Daily.
Protesters have retreated from Yeung Uk down side streets to their nee podition at Sha Tsui and Chung On.
Facing down riot police line at Chung On and Yeung Uk as new barriers go up.
Protesters helping furry friends caught in the crossfire during retreat.
Raptor charge down Chung On. No protesters apprehended.
Police now retreating to familiar jeers of “crooked cops!” and “triads!” from residents lining the street.
Another showdown brewing with red flag raised on Luen Yen.
Protesters attacking police vehicles as a fleet courses down Castle Peak Rd.
Protesters trash businesses believed to be harbouring truad “white-shirts” looking to attack protesters.
Shot fired
Small group of police responding were set upon by protesters and ran into nearby building. Riot police have arrived to protect them there.
Earlier police were conducting a stop and search on a suspected protester and let everyone but journalists pass. They said we could proceed if we agreed not to do our jobs.
Here’s another video of protesters besieging a triad-owned establishment in TW. There will be a lot of people understandably uncomfortable seeing this but it’s important to remember the context: a protester suffered a grizzly knife attack here recently so it’s deeply personal.
Postscript: not harmed at all, actually. Thanks for the concern. It made me think that a fully armoured raptor would probably have barely even felt it (not that any even made it that far).
This is the chase that followed. Police complain about journos getting in the way but we were the only thing standing between them and the protesters. I stopped caring about the shot and just wanted to help them get away without firing on those pursuing them and killing someone.
Yesterday in Tsuen Wan I noticed two new tactics used by protesters to slow the advance of riot police: emptying small bags of marbles and squirting out dishwashing liquid on the street to slip them up when they charge. If this is what CIA funding looks like, I am underwhelmed.
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