Thread by @rhokilpatrick

#AntiELAB protesters are filling up Central’s Chater Garden yet again today for a rally calling on US Congress to pass the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, a proposed bill to freeze the assets of local officials working against civic feeedoms and to bar them from the US.

The dress code for today is “smart casual.” Or in this case, black tie.

A new set of chants, all in English, is being airdropped by protesters today along with the lyrics to the US national anthem and other patriotic hymns.

With US flags as far as the eye can see today, protesters have also circulated these reminders touching on relevant etiquette, reminding marchers not to discard or desecrate them afterward—meaning they have more respect for the US flag than pro-China marchers have for their own.

An important reminder just went out correcting chanters’ English. Changing “less” to “fewer” would be even better, but that would mess with the rhythm.

After police made several arrests in Central MTR and the station was closed, protesters began occupying the nearby streets. The junction of DVRC, Chater and Peddar is a sea of black with paving stones pried up and fences taken apart. #HKprotests

One fire burning across Peddar St whilst another, much bigger inferno engulfs the nearby MTR exit.

Protesters’ anger at the MTR corporation is still burning.

Lady Liberty on wheels leading #antiELAB protesters’ retreat east toward Causeway Bay.

Riot police are charging into Causeway Bay MTR station.

Cheers ring through Causeway Bay as frontline protesters march through.

Tear gas fired outside SOGO.

Whampoa, TST, Causeway Bay, Mong Kok. Police strategy has become to position riot cops at every MTR station, closing the whole rail network to protesters. #HongKongProtests

(Pics via Telegram)

Blue Flag outside SOGO. Protesters are gone, no one but press and some local residents remaining.

Police keep firing tear gas in Causeway Bay when there’s no one but police, press and a few local residents around. 草木皆兵！

Police at Mong Kok Police Station just fired a bean bag round round at the crowd on the nearby street corner and no one knows why.

The shrine outside the Prince Edward MTR station where protesters were attacked by police on 31 August has begun anew, as it has ever night since. The smell of fresh flowers and incense shrouds this street corner where protests have become a nightly ritual.

Protesters have blocked traffic on Nathan Road using cable-tied metal fence barricades.

Riot police charged down Nathan Rd to clear protesters and are currently still trying to round them up around Mong Kok. A moment before this the bus drivers frantically directed all his passengers to get off and escape—not from the “rioters” but from the advancing line of police.

Six more shots fired outside Mong Kok Police Station. One lady who was shot and badly injured was a volunteer medic wearing a high-vis yellow vest.

The organisers behind yesterday’s rally and march to the US Consulate have just estimated turnout at 250,000 people at its peak.