In a sharp escalation of tensions, Hong Kong police unleashed volleys of tear gas on democracy protesters Sunday evening and threatened to use even more aggressive methods to disperse tens of thousands of demonstrators who paralyzed key sections of the semi-autonomous Chinese territory.
Police wearing olive green fatigues and holding rifles were pacing down the streets near government headquarters. Other officers occasionally pushed back the protesters, many of whom raised their arms to show their peaceful intent. At one point, police hoisted a sign reading, "Leave or We Will Fire," although it was unclear if that meant officers intended to release more tear gas, water cannons, rubber bullets or something else.
Vehicular traffic ground to a halt and dozens of bus lines were diverted as crowds filled roadways. The tear gas sent some protesters running but crowds quickly regrouped and the situation remained tense as night fell. Rumors spread that Internet access to the protest zone would be shut off.
"The people of Hong Kong want freedom and want democracy!" a protest leader yelled into a megaphone as demonstrators donned goggles, wrapped themselves in plastic wrap and held up umbrellas to shield themselves in case they were hit with tear gas or pepper spray. "Redeem the promise on a free election!" chanted the crowd.
Protest leaders issued a deadline of midnight Sunday for the city's unpopular top official, Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, to address their demands for free, open elections in 2017. They also demanded that Beijing-backed Leung and some of his aides resign and that the government reopen a public plaza within the main government compound to allow for protests.
"We're going to win this fight not with our fists but with our conscience and moral sentiments," said Chan Kin-man, a sociology professor who co-organized Occupy Central With Peace and Love, one of the main protest groups.
Around 10:30 p.m., leaders of Occupy Central and student groups called on demonstrators to retreat from the scene.
Willy Lam, an expert on Chinese politics at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, described Sunday's situation as a "massive show of force by the Chinese and Hong Kong government against an agitated Hong Kong public that is increasingly mad."
Hong Kong has a long history of large and orderly protests over a variety of issues. Lam said it was the first time that Hong Kong police had used tear gas against local protesters since 1967.
He added that there were "credible reports" that the People's Liberation Army garrison in Hong Kong, which has some 6,000 troops, had been put on alert. "If the Hong Kong police cannot disperse the crowd, there is the possibility of the PLA getting into the action," said Lam.
Such a step, if taken, would mark an unprecedented move by central Chinese government authorities to intervene in Hong Kong affairs since the former British colony returned to Chinese sovereignty in 1997 under a framework known as "one country, two systems."
The territory's 7 million citizens enjoy significantly greater civil liberties than their counterparts in Communist-run mainland China. But tension over rules for the city's 2017 chief executive election has been building for months. In August, election guidelines issued by mainland Chinese government authorities sparked fierce condemnation among certain segments of Hong Kong's populace, particularly university students.
Although the rules would allow the territory's 5 million eligible voters to cast ballots for the first time for Hong Kong's chief executive – who currently is chosen by a 1,200 member committee -- critics say the nomination process would restrict candidates to only people Communist authorities in Beijing approve of.
Those protesting this weekend are seeking to encourage local legislators to reject the framework put forth by Beijing or somehow modify it.
More than 70 people have been arrested since Friday, including three local legislators who were detained Sunday after they had helped deliver audio equipment to protesters on the scene.
University students boycotted classes last week in protest of the election rules, and student groups said Sunday they would extend their class boycott into this week. They called on Hong Kong workers to join them by going on strike. Wednesday and Thursday are public holidays in Hong Kong and further gatherings have been expected on those days.
In response to the demonstrations, Leung held a press conference Sunday and said he had faith in the professional judgment of the police force to handle the protesters.
Rejecting calls to refuse the 2017 election framework laid out by Beijing, Leung said: "It isn't up to us to set aside the decision."
A Chinese government spokesman in Beijing issued a statement saying it was confident that Leung and Hong Kong authorities could handle protesters "according to law."
Characterizing the protests as "illegal activities that could undermine rule of law and jeopardize social tranquility," the spokesman for the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of China's State Council said Beijing authorities offered their "strong backing" to Hong Kong officials.
Reports of the protests were censored in mainalnd China and state-run media did not carry any photos, videos or extensive reports on the situation.
Ed Chin, a supporter of the Occupy Central movement who spent most of the day among the protesters, said in a phone interview Sunday night that the clashes between demonstrators and police were a "plot by the Communist Party."
"They are not honoring 'one country two systems,'" Chin said. "This is exactly the tactics they want to use – scare tactics, creating social unrest, making people unhappy."
Lam, the analyst, said most protesters know there was "no possibility of persuading Beijing to change its mind," but decided to take to the streets anyhow.
"They just want to show their defiance," Lam said. "This is a major change for Hong Kong where people are very practical … it's a very rare display."
Special correspondent Law reported from Hong Kong and staff writer Makinen from Beijing.
Follow @JulieMakLAT for news from China
Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles Times8:16 a.m.: This post was updated with protest leaders calling for demonstrators to retreat.
7:25 a.m.: This story was updated with additional details and story background.
This story was originally published at 5:57 a.m.
Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang
Police unleash tear gas as democracy protests escalate in Hong Kong
Dengan url
http://sehatgembiralami.blogspot.com/2014/09/police-unleash-tear-gas-as-democracy.html
Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya
Police unleash tear gas as democracy protests escalate in Hong Kong
namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link
Police unleash tear gas as democracy protests escalate in Hong Kong
sebagai sumbernya
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar