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SCMP Reporters

Hong Kong entered its 16th straight weekend of unrest on Saturday, with police firing tear gas in Tuen Mun as protesters blocked roads, started fires and smashed up a light rail stop.
Afterwards, there was a sit-in at Yuen Long MTR station to mark two months since gangs of men wearing white attacked commuters, including black-clad demonstrators returning from a mass rally. 
Earlier in the day, a citywide campaign by pro-Beijing groups to remove anti-government posts on so-called Lennon Walls had attracted a much smaller turnout than expected. Protesters did not show up at the murals to confront their opponents, but returned in the afternoon to replenish the walls with posts and even flowers.
Reporting by Mimi Lau, Sarah Zheng, Sum Lok-kei, Kimmy Chung, Danny Lee, Karen Zhang, Dewey Sim, Peace Chiu and Lam Ka-sing


As it happened: petrol bombs thrown and tear gas fired as tension grows during Hong Kong's 16th weekend of protests 

A police officer stands ready on Fung Yau Street in Yuen Long. Photo: Edmond So

Hong Kong protests: Lennon Walls targeted in ‘clean-up operation’ by pro-government activists, MTR stations to close ahead of planned demonstrations

Hong Kong protest merchandise: tees, socks, badges and more, from clever to downright bizarre

News

Hong Kong

Politics

A pro-Beijing supporter removes protest material from a Lennon Wall in a clean-up operation that passed off without major incident on Saturday morning. Photo: Reuters

Junius Ho posters at Long Ping MTR Station. LegCo member Junius Ho mobilizes mainland supporters to clean up Lennon Walls across Hong Kong. 21SEP19 SCMP/ K. Y. Cheng

Pro-China supporters clean up Lennon Wall at Yuen Long MTR Station. LegCo member Junius Ho mobilizes mainland supporters to clean up Lennon Walls across Hong Kong. 21SEP19 SCMP/ K. Y. Cheng

LegCo member Junius Ho mobilizes mainland supporters to clean up Lennon Walls across Hong Kong. 21SEP19 HANDOUT PHOTO

A T-shirt in support of the Hong Kong protests.

No Curry Lamb T-shirt

Hong Kong Demonstration Stickers

香港加油 Stand With Hong Kong Cheer Up Keep On Going Stay Strong Democracy Freedom Black Foot Sublimated Socks

Pepe Hong Kong Protest Pin

I Can't Keep Calm Hong Kong T Shirt

Anti-Extradition Club, Hong Kong Anti-Extradition Bill Protests Classic T-Shirt

Men's Slides Flip Flops Pepe The Frog Hong Kong Custom slides Fight For Hong Kong

ANTI POPO POPO CLUB T SHIRT | PRINTED IN HONG KONG

A Hong Kong protest T-shirt reading “Say no to Curry Lamb” by Singaporean designer Claude Stargen. Merchandise in support of protesters has been turned out by enterprising Hongkongers since the protests began in June.


After blockades and skirmishes in northern town of Tuen Mun, protesters head to Yuen Long two months on from mob attack on commuters and protesters
Action comes as it is revealed police got an injunction for access to CCTV and Octopus card records from bus company, to trace demonstrators



After blockades and skirmishes in northern town of Tuen Mun, protesters head to Yuen Long two months on from mob attack on commuters and protesters.


Hong Kong protests

Live

Speaking before the start of the Tuen Mun protest, organiser Michael Mo Kwan-tai said he expected turnout to exceed 10,000.
“We must show a stand of solidarity to force official inaction to fix the alleged prostitution problem once and for all,” said Mo, addressing hundreds of demonstrators waiting to join the march by San Wo Lane Playground in San Hui at about 2.30pm.
“Our demand is very local, it's all about Tuen Mun damas, the middle-aged women singing Mandarin songs using an amplifier and megaphones, in public areas of the park.

“We organisers support the major five demands of the extradition bill movement, while expecting people to be holding slogans pressing on similar demands.
“Every issue can be political but I think it is police who are forcing us to politicise our actions by previously banning a livelihood-based rally.”
Mo called on attendees to head to Yuen Long MTR station after the Tuen Mun event wraps up at 5pm. 
 


‘More than 10,000’ expected at protest

A protest has started in Tuen Mun, a northern district in Hong Kong, targeting mostly middle-aged women from mainland China, known as dama, whose song-and-dance performances in parks are seen as a public nuisance by some residents.
Hundreds were at the starting point of the march at San Wan Ho Playground, where protesters had opened their umbrellas under the scorching sun before setting off at 2.50pm.
Although approval for the event is based on organisers’ opposition to dama performances, protesters repeatedly chant “stand with Hong Kong” and “fight for freedom” as protesters head towards the government offices in Tuen Mun.



March under way in Tuen Mun

Just as the crowds march out from San Wo Lane Playgound in Tuen Mun, riot police raise a yellow flag, demanding marchers keep to the pavement.
The crowd is agitated, shouting “killers, murderers, triads” at police.
Chants targeting the damas and referring to the alleged prostitution problem in Tuen Mun Park have immediately been replaced by anti-government slogans.

A riot police officer says through a loudspeaker: “This is a police warning. You should return to your rally routes. Please leave immediately or the police will have no choice but to remove you.”
But protesters are unmoved.


Police warning issued

Police have raised the black warning flag, which means they will use tear gas if the crowd does not disperse.



Black flag goes up

A group of protesters lower the Chinese flag outside Tuen Mun Government Offices. They try to set fire to it, with limited success.



Red flag goes down

Despite the call by pro-Beijing legislator Junius Ho Kwan-yiu to remove so-called Lennon Walls, one of the city's biggest such murals, in Tai Po, remains largely untouched.

Since Saturday morning, only a few passers-by have been seen removing posts.
A Lennon Wall in Sha Tin is also intact (pictured below).



Tai Po Lennon Wall survives

On Pui To Road, Tuen Mun, police have raised the blue flag. It warns that marchers are assembled illegally and officers will use force if they do not disperse.




Blue flag raised

Riot police outside Tuen Mun railway station suddenly charge into Tuen Mun Park, where people who had gathered after the march point lasers and deface station facilities.
There is a tense stand-off at the park entrance as officers move in, driving protesters deep into the park. An officer is heard screaming repeatedly at protesters vandalising railings.
"Garbage! You good-for-nothing coward, what else do you know apart from vandalising public property?" he yells.


Stand-off in the park

At least two protesters are pinned to the ground by officers in the park. Four people wearing neon vests with first-aid logos are ordered against a wall for a body search.
Lawmakers including Roy Kwong Chun-yu and Fernando Cheung Chiu-hung argue with the police that it is still a lawful assembly and demand they disclose the grounds for their intervention.


Legislators demand grounds for police moves

Protesters are building a barricade to block riot police from ambushing them on the other side of the footbridge over the Tuen Mun River.



Building defences

Pro-Beijing legislator Junius Ho Kwan-yiu concludes his campaign to "clean up" the city in Southern district.
"Apart from in Shau Kei Wan, where we received a passionate welcome and loud send-off from roaches, order and the atmosphere were generally good," Ho writes on Facebook, using a pejorative term for anti-government protesters.

While Ho had called on people to remove so-called Lennon Walls, he U-turned on Friday night, calling for the more general clean-up. On Saturday he made a few short appearances in Tai Po, Tuen Mun and Shau Kei Wan. He earlier estimated 36,000 would turn up, but attendances at various districts were limited.


Junius calls it a day

Riot police move deep into Tuen Mun Park after demolishing protesters' makeshift barricades. Elderly park users look on.
"Why are you in the park? Go away, you don't belong here," shouts an elderly visitor.

Officers can be heard using the term "cockroaches", referring to protesters hiding in the park bushes.


Police in the park

Three Light Rail routes are suspended in the Tuen Mun area, with diversions on another three.
Routes 507, 614P and 615P services are suspended on the rail system serving the northwest New Territories.
Trains are diverted in both directions of route 505 and will not stop between Siu Lun and Kin On. The same applies for route 614, which is no longer serving stations between Fung Tei and Siu Hei.
Route 751 will not stop between Yau Oi and Choy Yee Bridge.
Twelve bus routes run by KMB are also diverted.


Rail services suspended

Another black flag – warning that police will use tear gas if protesters do not disperse – has been raised, this time on Tuen Mun Heung Sze Wui Road.


Another black flag

The police force says radical protesters are holding offensive weapons including metal rods, catapults and laser guns near Tuen Mun Government Offices. It also notes they set fire to a national flag, damaged property and set up barricades.
“Police warn the protesters to stop all illegal acts and leave immediately,” a spokesman says on the force's official Facebook page.


Police statement

Protesters have smashed up parts of the platform at Tuen Mun light rail station.




Light rail takes a hit

The stand-offs continue, with roadblocks set up by protesters on Tuen Wui Street and Tuen Mun Heung Sze Wui Road. Police defensive lines also block the roads.
Protesters hurl bricks from behind the roadblocks outside Tuen Mun Town Plaza.





Roadblocks

Police use tear gas on Tuen Wui Street outside the bus terminal.
A petrol bomb is also thrown.


Tear gas fired

A police source says three water cannon trucks are on standby at secret locations to handle any possible confrontation.
The force has deployed the trucks three times over the past few weeks.
On Sunday, officers fired streams of indelible dye from water cannons at protesters outside the government headquarters in Admiralty. The dye is intended to make it easier to identify frontline protesters later.


Water cannons on standby

Protesters frantically run into Tuen Mun Town Plaza mall, to escape the tear gas.
Protesters are ducking into Tuen Mun Town plaza mall frantically as tear gas has been fired outside the mall. Volunteer medics are seen carrying victims affected by tear gas inside the shopping mall. #hongkongprotests
Video: SCMP/Mimi Lau pic.twitter.com/pgx3WslSCS
— SCMP Hong Kong (@SCMPHongKong) September 21, 2019
“We are trying to disperse indoors ... before we move on to a new location,” says a male protester who identifies himself as a university student. He says it is less likely police will use tear gas indoors.
Volunteer medics carry people affected by tear gas inside the mall.
 


Heading indoors

The police force warns that officers will soon disperse the crowds, and that protesters should stop their illegal acts and leave immediately.
“Radical protesters damaged the facilities of Tuen Mun light rail station with metal rods, hurled objects onto the light rail track and set barricades in the vicinity causing obstruction to the traffic,” a spokesman says.
“The radical protesters also threw petrol bombs posing a serious threat to the safety of others and police officers at scene.”


Police warning

At least three people have been taken away by police, during skirmishes after tear gas was fired.





Three  people taken away

Lawmakers Fernando Cheung Chiu-hung and Kwok Ka-ki try to get the name of a young man captured by police, but are unsuccessful.
“Shout out your name and your ID so we can provide legal assistance,” says Cheung (pictured below, at the far left) before the protester is taken away by police.



Legislators try to help

More images from the scene

On Tuen Lee Street, protesters set a bin on fire. A couple of petrol bombs are thrown at the wider barricade, causing it to catch fire too.

Riot police wait on the other side of the burning barricade as firefighters arrive to extinguish the flames.

 


Fire on the road

Riot police charge into Waldorf Garden housing estate minutes after firefighters put out the fire on the adjacent Tuen Lee Street.

Residents scream insults at officers, demanding they leave.


Police on housing estate

More than 50 riot police officers are on Tuen Mun Heung Sze Wui Road.

They remove roadblocks set up by protesters earlier, and march towards Tuen Hing Road.


Some blockades removed

All Light Rail services in Tuen Mun are being stopped, with protests in the district in full swing.
The MTR Corporation says it is suspending Tuen Mun trains and feeder bus services immediately, on police request, because of vandalism at stations.
It follows earlier disruption, including service suspensions, on six Light Rail routes.
Meanwhile, routes 610, 614, 615 and 751 will terminate at Siu Hong.


Light Rail shuts down in Tuen Mun

Dozens of police officers are inside Lui Cheung Kwong Lutheran College after getting in via the escape door on Tuen Muen Road.
They are now moving along Chi Lok Bridge. There are some arguments between police and bystanders, but no physical conflicts.



Officers go to school

At Tuen Mun Town Plaza mall, almost all shops have either closed or have their shutters down. In some, employees seek refuge by hiding in the stores.
Below, a shop worker at Hong King Garden on Tsing Sin Street rolls down the shutters.

Photo by Sam Tsang


Shutters down

After an intense hour of stand-offs in Tuen Mun park, the light rail station and Tuen Mun Town Plaza mall, protesters have mostly dispersed.
Hundreds of police officers are still on the streets, though some are retreating.
More than 100 riot officers get into police vans which have arrived to pick them up on the Tsing Hoi Circuit. Bystanders shout insults as they leave.

On the other side of Tuen Mun River, on Tin Hau Road, officers are also boarding vans to leave.


No more protesters

More photos from the scene earlier

At least 15 riot police are at Long Ping station, one stop from Yuen Long station, which is closed.
Some commuters are cheering the officers. The MTR has announced at the station that exits C, D and E are closed due to crowd management measures.
Protesters had planned a sit-in at Yuen Long station to mark two months since an attack there.



Police on standby at Long Ping

There is a heavy police presence at the now-closed Yuen Long train station, with more than 30 police and riot officers at the scene.
Protesters had planned a sit-in at the MTR station to mark two months since the July 21 attacks, in which passengers and protesters were beaten by a gang of white-clad men inside the metro hub.
The station has been closed since 3pm and there are no obvious signs of protesters in the area.

 


Officers out in force in Yuen Long

Dozens of protesters dressed in black have gathered in Yoho Mall, which is a stone’s throw from Yuen Long subway station.
They are chanting their support for the five main demands of the anti-government movement, and condemning police over their use of force.
“Liberate Hong Kong; Revolution of our times” is yelled in unison.



Protesters group near MTR station

KMB has announced an updated bus service in Tuen Mun district, with two routes suspended while at least 21 bus lines are re-routed.


Bus upheaval

Faced with protester threats to disrupt travel leading to Hong Kong International Airport on Sunday, bosses are implementing the following:

Airport Express trains to the airport will only take passengers from Hong Kong station, from 9am for the rest of the day. The service will not stop at Kowloon, Tsing Yi and AsiaWorld-Expo stations
The city-bound service from the air hub will also only stop at Hong Kong station. The in-town check-in service at Kowloon station will be suspended all day
Car park 1 of the airport will be closed all day from 9am

The statement, which warns people against using forged tickets to try and access the airport, says passengers are “advised to allow sufficient time to travel”.
It adds: “Access control at the terminal buildings of HKIA is being implemented. Only bona fide passengers with a valid air ticket or boarding pass for a flight in the next 24 hours and a valid travel document will be allowed to enter the terminal buildings.
“Airport security staff and AA staff will be deployed to Hong Kong station of Airport Express line tomorrow to assist checks with travellers heading to the airport regarding required documents or proof.
“Meanwhile, there are calls online for using fake boarding passes, fake air tickets or fake flight booking information to enter into the terminal buildings of the airport. The AA reminds that such behavior could amount to forgery or using false instrument.”
 


Special measures for airport

More than 50 shops have closed in the Yoho Mall, including many luxury brands such as Yves Saint Laurent and Chopard.

However, a handful of restaurants have stayed open, with people still eating.




Shutters down in Yoho

The police presence is increasing outside Yoho Mall.

At least six police vans and dozens of officers have arrived.



Police in Yuen Long

Police stop a bus outside Yoho Mall before letting it continue
Video: SCMP/Lam Ka-sing pic.twitter.com/SQxixoHXtU
— SCMP Hong Kong (@SCMPHongKong) September 21, 2019


Bus stop

Numbers have swelled inside Yoho Mall, where a few hundred protesters chant slogans and sing Glory to Hong Kong, the new anthem of the protest movement.

They chant slogans about how police were not around to protect travellers during the July 21 attacks in Yuen Long.

Most protesters appear to be unarmed.


Songs in the mall

A 66-year-old Yuen Long resident, who came after joining the Tuen Mun march in the afternoon, says she is at the mall to speak up for the attack victims.
Another protester, a 20-year-old who works in the engineering industry, set off from his home in Tung Chung earlier so he could reach Yuen Long before 3pm when the station closed.
While he is worried about a repeat of the mob attacks two months ago, he says he came to protest against what he says is the police’s excessive use of force.
“I don’t expect the government to do anything, but we have to at least let people overseas know about what is happening in Hong Kong,” he says.


Voices from the scene

Police have obtained a court order to obtain information on Octopus card transactions and CCTV footage from bus company KMB, to identify protesters who took part in several recent anti-government actions, according to sources.
The Octopus card is a stored-value card used on almost all public transport in the city, which can also be used to settle payments in many shops and outlets.


Police demand bus records

Police have stopped and entered two buses outside Yuen Long's Yoho mall. There was no sign of any arrests.
Police have also stopped many other buses but without entering.
Police officers enter a bus outside Yuen Long's Yoho Mall
Video: SCMP/Lam Ka-sing pic.twitter.com/s2p8zJPh7K
— SCMP Hong Kong (@SCMPHongKong) September 21, 2019


Police enter two buses in Yuen Long

On a footbridge connecting to Yoho Mall, at least four protesters point laser beams at riot police near the now-closed Yuen Long station.
Video: SCMP/Karen Zhang pic.twitter.com/NESuygJI1Q
— SCMP Hong Kong (@SCMPHongKong) September 21, 2019


Laser beams return

Hundreds of protesters are still inside the Yoho Mall, singing songs. They chant "Liberate Hong Kong; Revolution of our time".

 
Some are aiming laser pointers about, the atmosphere getting more tense as people chant with increased frequency and volume, but it is still peaceful.
They also hold up five fingers, representing their five demands. The demands are the withdrawal of the extradition bill (which the government has already pledged); an inquiry into the police's handling of recent unrest; pardons for arrested protesters; the end of the categorisation of certain protests as riots; and democratic reform.
 

Photos by Edmond So
 


Inside the mall

Inside Yuen Long's Yoho mall, at the closed entrance of the MTR station, several protesters spread a mix of water, paint, detergent and alcohol on the floor to make it slippery.  
Plastic bottles and bits of bricks can also be seen on the floor.
At the closed MTR entrance inside Yoho Mall, several protesters spread the ground with a liquid made from water, paint, detergent and alcohol to make the floor slippery
Video: SCMP/Karen Zhang pic.twitter.com/pKWAIhGNd1
— SCMP Hong Kong (@SCMPHongKong) September 21, 2019



Protesters prepare

Some protesters are calling for others in Yoho Mall to head off, with the popular “Let’s leave together” refrain.
It appears some will head to Nam Pin Wai, the scene of confrontations after the mob attack on July 21. It was alleged that many of the men involved in the assault were from the village.
Police vehicles are already lined up near the village.



Protesters' leaving call 

The fire service has shown up inside Yoho Mall. Firefighters are inspecting the damaged MTR entrance.
The fire alarm is sounding and a recorded message is saying: "This is an emergency situation."



Firefighters in mall inspecting damage

A few hundred protesters have left Yoho Mall, with many saying they are going home. Some people have offered to drive protesters home.
Many left their masks on the doors to one entrance of the mall.
However, a few small groups of protesters who are wearing face coverings are still discussing what to do next.



Most protesters leave mall 

A police spokesman says that at its peak, 4,300 people took part in the Tuen Mun rally.


Police say 4,300 joined Tuen Mun rally

About a dozen officers are on standby at Yuen Long Kau Hui Road, gateway to Nam Pin Wai village, where some protesters said they would head.
There were clashes in the village on July 27 after the violence in Yuen Long station a week earlier.



Police on guard near village

The Airport Express rail link will operate a restricted service from 9am on Sunday. The service will run between Hong Kong and Hong Kong International Airport, not stopping at Kowloon, Tsing Yi or AsiaWorld-Expo stations. The airport-based conference and exhibition station will be temporarily closed to passengers.
Trains will run between Hong Kong and the airport at 10-minute intervals. The in-town check-in service at Kowloon station will also be suspended.
The latest air passengers can check in using the downtown facility at Hong Kong station will be 90 minutes before their flight departs.


Airport Express to run restricted service on Sunday

Police in Yuen Long are flashing strong lights at protesters who are now on an overhead bridge yelling profanities at officers. 
Officers have raised the blue flag, warning protesters to leave as they are participating in an unlawful assembly.

 


Protesters yelling profanities; blue warning flag raised

Petrols bombs have been thrown at the intersection of Fung Kam Street and Fung Cheung Street.
At least 100 police have arrived on the scene.


Petrol bombs thrown 

Police are charging at protesters in Yuen Long.


Police charge

Tear gas has been fired on Castle Peak Road.


KMB says two bus routes in Yuen Long district have been suspended while 16 have been re-routed.


Live | As it happened: petrol bombs thrown and tear gas fired as tension grows during Hong Kong's 16th weekend of protests