- Title: Pepper spray and scuffles in Hong Kong as China's birthday celebrations begin
- Date: 1st October 2019
- Summary: HONG KONG, CHINA (OCTOBER 1, 2019) (REUTERS) PROTESTERS LED BY LAWMAKER ACTIVIST "LONG HAIR" LEUNG KWOK-HUNG FROM THE LEAGUE OF SOCIAL DEMOCRATS MARCHING LEUNG SPEAKING ON LOUDSPEAKER PROTESTERS MARCHING VARIOUS PROTESTERS SCUFFLING WITH PRO-BEIJING PEOPLE POLICE PEPPER SPRAYING BOTH GROUPS LEAGUE OF SOCIAL DEMOCRATS AVERY NG LOOKING ON POLICE DETAINING ONE PRO-BEIJING MAN HANDCUFF VARIOUS PRO-BEIJING MAN DETAINED BY POLICE SIT ON SIDEWALK (SOUNDBITE) (English) THE LEAGUE OF SOCIAL DEMOCRATS CHAIRMAN, LEUNG KWOK-HUNG SAYING: "They are members of triad tried to attack us. Their target is the mob, which is the symbols of the massacre of June 4." WOMEN SINGING CHINESE PATRIOTIC SONG AND HOLDING CHINESE FLAG / PRO-BEIJING GROUP WAVING CHINESE FLAGS VARIOUS RED SHIRT PRO-BEIJING SUPPORTERS WALKING AND WAVING MINI CHINESE FLAGS (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) PRO-BEIJING SUPPORTER, MR SHI SAYING: "The so-called 'democracy' means they can do whatever they want, simply destroy the infrastructure and beating people up, this is fake democracy. They don't know it, because they are still children, they have someone to raise them. We want to go to work and they wouldn't let us do so." POLICE STANDBY ROADSIDE RIOT POLICE LOOKING ON
- Embargoed: 15th October 2019 02:17
- Keywords: Hong Kong China protest morning scuffles pro-Beijing pro-democracy
- Location: HONG KONG, CHINA
- City: HONG KONG, CHINA
- Country: Hong Kong
- Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,Civil Unrest
- Reuters ID: LVA001AZ9K3LZ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Scuffles broke out in the morning on Tuesday (October 1) as Hong Kong went into lockdown on the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.
Authority in the Chinese-ruled city that has been wracked by nearly four months of often violent anti-government protests hoped to ensure anti-government protests do not overshadow Chinese President Xi Jinping's commemorations on national day celebration in Beijing.
Protesters have pledged to seize on the holiday to propel their calls for greater democracy onto the international stage, hijacking an occasion Beijing sees as an opportunity to showcase China's economic progress to the world.
Rail operator MTR Corp closed some flash-point metro stations, while several large shopping malls announced they would close, hoping to avoid damage in any clashes.
The government of embattled Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam has already cancelled the annual October 1 fireworks display over the city's iconic Victoria Harbour, citing public safety concerns.
(Production: Joseph Campbell, Angie Teo) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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