Friday, October 17, 2014

Hong Kong police get violent, arrest 26

CC Liu, Ashley Wells, Wisdom Quarterly; Joanna Chiu, Sylvia Hui (AP.org, 10-17-14)
Protesters cry as some of the protesters are beaten by riot police in the occupied area in the Mong Kok district of Hong Kong, early Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014. New scuffles broke out Friday night between Hong Kong riot police and pro-democracy activists in a district where police cleared protesters earlier in the day (AP).
Block roads by day central financial district occupy HK, beaten by police by night (AP).
Riot police beat protesters at a main road in the Mong Kok district of Hong Kong Friday, Oct. 17, 2014. HK riot police got violent with hundreds of defiant pro-democracy activists who returned after officers had partially cleared the area earlier Friday. Police used pepper spray and deadly batons to beat back a huge crowd that had gathered, and several protesters were seen knocked to the ground or carried away by police (AP).


  
HONG KONG, China - Riot police became violent and battled thousands of peaceful pro-democracy demonstrators for control of Hong Kong's streets Saturday, using pepper spray and batons to hold back defiant activists who returned to a protest zone that officers had partially cleared.

Police and activists engaged in running clashes in Mong Kok's dense grid of streets, scuffling for hours. Several protesters were seen knocked to the ground, and dozens were carried or taken away by police.

The government said some 9,000 people gathered at the scene, repeatedly charging police lines in an attempt to retake roads. Authorities said police arrested 26 people. Protesters are pressing for a greater say in choosing the semiautonomous Chinese city's leader in an inaugural direct election, promised for 2017.

Students and activists oppose Beijing's ruling that a committee stacked with pro-Beijing elites should screen candidates in the election. That effectively means that Beijing can vet candidates before they go to a public vote. More

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