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Fresh clashes in Hong Kong as protesters defy police ban

Demonstrators in Hong Kong have again defied a ban on demonstrations and held large protests in t...
Stephen McNeice
Stephen McNeice

14.55 20 Oct 2019


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Fresh clashes in Hong Kong as...

Fresh clashes in Hong Kong as protesters defy police ban

Stephen McNeice
Stephen McNeice

14.55 20 Oct 2019


Share this article


Demonstrators in Hong Kong have again defied a ban on demonstrations and held large protests in the city.

While smaller numbers are taking to the streets in comparison to the crowds seen earlier in the months-long campaign, Sunday again saw major disruption in the territory.

Authorities had banned today's planned anti-government marches, but the organisers pressed ahead with their plans.

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Many of the protesters gathered in the Mong Kok shopping district, with local reports saying police used rubber bullets after some protesters threw petrol bombs.

Images also showed water cannons and tear gas being used in parts of the city today.

Protestors wearing masks watch as they clash with police in Hong Kong, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019. Hong Kong protesters again flooded streets on Sunday, ignoring a police ban on the rally and setting up barricades amid tear gas and firebombs. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Elsewhere, police apologised after using coloured water to disperse crowds near a mosque in the city.

The force said in a statement: "It is most unfortunate that the dispersal operation has caused unintended impact on the Kowloon Mosque.

"Following the incident, the Police have immediately contacted the Chief Imam as well as Muslim community leaders to clarify the situation and to show our concern."

Photos shared on social media showed a large number of people gathering at the mosque to help with the clean-up operation.

The protests began in Hong Kong during the summer over a controversial extradition bill that would have allowed authorities to send suspects to mainland China.

Despite the bill having now been withdrawn, the movement soon morphed into larger pro-democracy protests - calling for free elections and an inquiry into the police handling of the demonstrations.

There has been fresh anger after a high-profile protest leader - Jimmy Sham - was attacked earlier this week.

The South China Morning Post reports Mr Sham was hit with hammers and spanners on Wednesday night in an attack which the local government condemned as "totally unacceptable".

Main image: Protesters set fire to a Xiaomi shop at Nathan road in Hong Kong. Picture by: Vincent Yu/AP/Press Association Images

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