Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Hong Kong Demonstrators Turn to Flash Mob-Style Protests

Suzanne Sataline

   HONG KONG - It didn't seem to matter that police barred several protest
   marches Saturday, citing the fear of violence. Thousands of residents,
   furious with government indifference and harsh policing, fought battles
   throughout the city as they tried frenzied, urban guerrilla tactics to
   block roads, occupy the airport terminal, march en masse, participants
   shrugging off rounds of tear gas.

   Protesters staged the flash protests in lieu of organized, legal
   marches after police took the highly unusual step of denying permits,
   saying they would invite violence. Instead, groups of several hundred
   protesters gathered in the Kowloon neighborhoods of Tai Po and Tai Wai
   before hitting the tourist center of Tsim Sha Tsui.

   For many hours people staged a sit-in at the airport, the second since
   Friday, to attract international attention to their cause. In addition,
   strikers blocked the Cross Harbour Tunnel briefly before darting away.

.