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Police use tear gas and water cannons as defiant protesters gather in Hong Kong

Police in Hong Kong have fired tear gas and used water cannons to try to disperse protesters in ...
Stephen McNeice
Stephen McNeice

11.34 31 Aug 2019


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Police use tear gas and water...

Police use tear gas and water cannons as defiant protesters gather in Hong Kong

Stephen McNeice
Stephen McNeice

11.34 31 Aug 2019


Share this article


Police in Hong Kong have fired tear gas and used water cannons to try to disperse protesters in the Chinese territory.

Thousands of pro-democracy demonstrators have taken to the streets for the 13th weekend in a row, despite authorities having denied permission for a mass rally.

Large crowds of demonstrators have gathered in the retail centre of Causeway Bay.

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Others are outside the local government headquarters, with local media reporting that some petrol bombs have been thrown at barriers around the building.

Photos showed police spraying water coloured with blue dye - with the South China Morning Post reporting police had been considering liquid dye to make identifying suspects easier.

Pro-democracy protesters march in central Hong Kong, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019. Large crowds of protesters are gathering and marching in central Hong Kong as police ready for possible confrontations near the Chinese government's main office or elsewhere in the city. The black-shirted protesters have taken over parts of major roads and intersections Saturday as they rally and march. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Today's demonstrations come a day after several pro-democracy activists were arrested by police in an apparent crackdown.

Joshua Wong and Agnes Chow, both members of the pro-democracy group Demosisto, were among the high-profile figures detained.

Both have since been released on bail.

22-year-old Ms Chow insisted people won't back down, saying: "We Hong Kong people won't give up and won't be scared.

"We will keep on fighting for democracy."

The protests initially began over a controversial extradition bill, which would have allowed suspects to be sent to mainland China.

While the bill has been suspended, hundreds of thousands of people have continued to take to the streets - with their five demands including the bill's complete withdrawal and for an investigation into the police handling of the demonstrations.

Campaigners have also called for a two-day general strike to take place from Monday.

Main image: Police fire water cannons on protestors in Hong Kong, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019. Hong Kong police fired blue-colored water from water cannons and tear gas on Saturday in a standoff with protesters outside government headquarters. Picture by: Vincent Yu/AP/Press Association Images

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