Hong Kong cops fire tear gas as protesters defy ban, set up roadblocks

Defying a ban by the authorities on rallies, thousands of Hong Kong protesters staged a march through the Kowloon district on Friday. Amid volleys of tear gas fired by the police, the protesters formed makeshift roadblocks and tossed firebombs, escalating violence. Protesters leading from the front carried a black banner with the slogan, "Five main demands, not one less" as they pressed for their demands of accountability and political rights which includes full democracy of Hong Kong and an independent inquiry into alleged police brutality.

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Unrest continues unabated

The Hong Kong police officials had strengthened their measures for the unauthorized march by protesters, especially since the latest unrest that has disrupted life in the semi-autonomous Chinese territory in June. The black-clad masked protesters reportedly barricaded the streets at multiple locations in Kowloon where the subway operator had restricted passenger access. Reportedly, a firebomb was also tossed at one of the subway stations. In addendum to growing violence, the protesters tore off stones from the sidewalk and scattered them on the road, commandeered the safety barriers and even unscrewed metal railings to form the makeshift roadblocks. 

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Police retaliation

Police authorities fired tear gas after the protesters threw gasoline bombs towards one of the subway stations while marching down the street with standstill traffic. The demonstrators also sang their movement's anthem and held up placards depicting the Chinese flag as a Nazi swastika. 

“I can see some people want to give up, but I don’t want to do this because Hong Kong is my home, we want to protect this place, protect Hong Kong,” said Matthew Lee, a university student who took part in  the demonstrations. “You can’t give up because Hong Kong is your home,” he added. 

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A masked protest against mask ban

Many protesters were seen wearing masks to oppose the recent ban on face masks in public gathering by Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam. The volunteers were spotted also handing out more to others in the crowd. Organisers believe that even though they were denied to carry out their rally on Sunday, it is their right to protest as guaranteed by the city's constitution despite the risks involved. 

“We’re using peaceful, rational, nonviolent ways to voice our demands,” Figo Chan, vice convener of the Civil Human Rights Front, told reporters. “We’re not afraid of being arrested. What I’m most scared of is everyone giving up on our principles.” 

One of the groups' leaders, Jimmy Shan who has also organidsed some of the biggest marches in the anti-government movement was attacked by the police on Wednesday. Moreover, the Hong Kong police had also arrested a 22-year-old man on the suspicion of his connection with the stabbing of a teenage activist who was distributing leaflets near a wall plastered with messages of pro-democracy. Reportedly, a witness said that the assailant shouted pro-Beijing messages after stabbing and wounding the teenager. 

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(With AP inputs)