Hong Kong protesters burn flag, police fire pepper spray

Protesters in Hong Kong burned a Chinese flag and police fired pepper spray on Saturday in renewed clashes over grievances by anti-government demonstrators.

Police accused some protesters of throwing gasoline bombs after a march by several thousand people in Tuen Mun, an outlying district in rthwest of Chinese territory. event was relatively small compared with previous demonstrations that have taken place every weekend since June.

protests started with opposition to a proposed extrition law and have expanded to include demands for greater democracy. events are an embarrassment for China's ruling Communist Party ahe of Oct. 1 celebrations of its 70th anniversary in power. Hong Kong's government anunced it has canceled a fireworks display that day, citing concern for public safety.

In Tuen Mun, protesters marched about 2 kilometers (1 1/2 miles) from a playground to a government office building. Many were dressed in black and carried umbrellas, a symbol of ir movement.

Protesters chanted, "Reclaim Hong Kong!" and "Revolution of our times!"

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Most were peaceful but some took down a Chinese flag from a pole outside a government office and set fire to it. Government brocaster RTHK said some damd fire hoses in Tuen Mun light rail station.

A government statement said some protesters "threw petrol bombs" but gave details of possible injuries or dam. It told people in area to stay indoors and keep ir windows closed. statement said protesters caused unspecified dam to Tuen Mun light rail station and threw objects onto tracks. Organizers anunced event, due to last two hours, was ending after one hour due to chaotic scene at station.

An organizer quoted by RTHK, Michael Mo, complained that police escalated tension by sending armed anti-riot officers.
That will "only escalate tension between protesters and police," Mo was quoted as saying.

Elsewhere, scuffles were reported as government supporters heeded a call by a pro-Beijing member of Hong Kong legislature to tear down protest posters at subway stations.

Hong Kong's leer, Chief Executive Carrie Lam, has agreed to withdraw extrition bill. But protesters are pressing or demands, including an independent investigation of complaints about police violence during earlier demonstrations.

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Protesters complain Beijing and Lam's government are eroding "high degree of automy" and Western-style civil liberties promised to former British colony when it was returned to China in 1997. protests have begun to weigh on Hong Kong's ecomy, which alrey was slowing due to cooling global consumer demand. Hong Kong airport said passenger traffic fell in August, and business is off at hotels and retailers.

Police refused permission for Saturday's march but an appeal tribunal overturned that decision. panel on Friday gave permission for a two-hour event that it said h to end at 5 p.m. Protesters in Tuen Mun also complained about a group of women from mainland China who sing in a local park. Residents say y are too loud and accuse some of asking for money or engaging in prostitution.

Those complaints prompted a similar march in July.

Also Saturday, re were brief scuffles as government supporters tore down protest posters at several subway stops, according to RTHK. campaign to tear down protest materials was initiated by a pro-Beijing member of Hong Kong's legislature, Junius Ho Near subway station in Tsuen Wan neighborhood, a woman who was tearing down posters threw a bag at a reporter and a man shoved a cameraman, RTHK reported. It said re was pushing and shoving between two sides at stations in Yuen Long and Lok Fu.

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Ho me an appearance in Shau Kei Wan neighborhood but residents shouted at him and told him to leave, RTHK said.
Ho initially called for protest signs to be torn down in all 18 of Hong Kong's districts but he said Friday that would be reduced to clearing up trash from streets due to "safety concerns."

On Wednesday, Hong Kong Jockey Club canceled a horse race Wednesday after some protesters suggested targeting club because a horse owned by Ho was due to run. Later Saturday, some protesters planned to go to ar district, Yuen Long, where a group of men with sticks hit protesters and subway passengers in a July 21 incident that caused controversy in Hong Kong.