HONG KONG (Reuters) – Hong Kong police fired tear gas on Saturday to disperse hundreds of black-clad protesters, some armed with petrol bombs, during a rally to mark six months since the authorities stormed a subway station and arrested demonstrators.
Riot police shoots a tear gas to disperse anti-government protesters after a clash at Mong Kok, in Hong Kong, China February 29, 2020. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu
One officer drew his gun but did not fire as protesters hurled plastic water bottles and umbrellas at him.
The clashes are among the most violent in the Chinese-ruled city after a period of relative calm following intense anti-government protests that escalated in June last year, with fears over the coronavirus keeping many residents indoors.
Hundreds of protesters gathered in and around Mong Kok district and the Prince Edward subway station, where some of the fiercest violence erupted on Aug. 31, when police fired tear gas at pro-democracy protesters throwing petrol bombs.
Some chanted “Liberate Hong Kong, Revolution of our time,” while others called for the police force to be disbanded, echoing slogans from previous demonstrations.
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