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Police Fire Tear Gas to Disperse Thousands in Central Hong Kong

Reuters

   HONG KONG - Police fired tear gas on Sunday to disperse thousands of
   anti-government protesters who gathered in a central Hong Kong park,
   but later spilled onto the streets in violation of police orders.

   Out in numbers before the demonstration began, police intervened
   promptly when the rally turned into an impromptu march. Several units
   of police in riot gear were seen chasing protesters and several arrests
   were made.

   A water cannon truck drove on central streets, flanked by an armored
   jeep, but was not used.

   Organizers initially applied for a permit for a march, but police only
   agreed to a static rally in the park, saying previous marches have
   turned violent.

   Once protesters spilled onto the streets, some of them, wearing
   all-black clothing, barricaded the roads with umbrellas and street
   furniture, dug up bricks from the pavement and smashed traffic lights.

   The "Universal Siege Against Communism" demonstration was the latest in
   a relentless series of protests against the government since June, when
   Hong Kongers took to the streets to voice their anger over a
   now-withdrawn extradition bill.

   The protests, which have since broadened to include demands for
   universal suffrage and an independent investigation into police
   handling of the demonstrations, had lost some of their intensity in
   recent weeks.

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