AP, HONG KONGThousands took to Hong Kong’s streets yesterday in a new wave of pro-democracy protests, but police fired tear gas after some demonstrators hurled bricks and smoke bombs, breaking a pause in violence that has persisted during the six-month-long movement. A police statement said minimum force was deployed after “hundreds of rioters hurled smoke bombs” and bricks to cause chaos. Officers earlier also used pepper spray after some protesters deviated from the approved route. Hong Kong’s protests have been relatively peaceful during the two weeks surrounding the elections, but yesterday’s disruption indicated there might be more violence if Lam fails to yield to protesters’ demands. Some held banners reading “Let’s make Hong Kong great again” — a riff on Trump’s 2016 campaign pledge to make the US great again.

Source: Taipei Times December 01, 2019 15:56 UTC