bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

sponsorType

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

SCMP Reporters

Anti-government protesters in Hong Kong returned to Victoria Park this afternoon to hold “election meetings”, after police rejected an application for a proposed rally there.
Protesters had wanted to gather in Causeway Bay to call for international aid to support the months-long social movement in the city.
But before the event even began tensions flared outside the park with officers pepper-spraying one man and arresting him. Police also conducted body searches on those wearing masks, and fired tear gas to disperse a crowd on Hennessy Road.
The illegal rally, alongside three authorised ones in Central and Tsim Sha Tsui, marks the 22nd straight weekend of anti-government protests in Hong Kong.
Follow our live blog below for the latest updates. Reporting by Lilian Cheng, Sum Lok-kei, Zoe Low, Alvin Lum, Chris Lau, Danny Lee, Albert Han, Mimi Lau and Kanis Leung


Hong Kong’s national security police arrest 2 over alleged seditious online posts

Hong Kong couple who hid, aided 4 wanted protesters jailed for 13, 17 months

The chaotic life of Anthony Wong, the 3-time Hong Kong best actor ‘shut out’ by China

Cleared Hong Kong bomb suspect remanded after arrest over inciting unrest

Hong Kong protests

As it happened: how another Hong Kong weekend of violence ended in clashes in Mong Kok and Causeway Bay, with Xinhua office smashed

Protesters barricade themselves inside IFC mall. Photo: Stanley Shin

Pepper spray and body searches as anti-government protesters defy Hong Kong rally ban by holding ‘election hustings’

Protesters on Saturday afternoon head to Central Lawn in Victoria Park for what police said would be unauthorised rally. Photo: Felix Wong

Blue flag at Great George Street. November 2. Photo: Felix Wong  

News

Hong Kong

Politics


Chaos on Hong Kong Island leads to Central MTR station closing
Protesters earlier gathered in Victoria Park for 'election hustings' after application for rally was rejected by police



Tear gas and pepper spray fired early as protesters gather in Victoria Park for 'election hustings' after application for rally was rejected by police.


Hong Kong extradition bill

Hong Kong police

Live

There are four protests expected in Hong Kong on Saturday:

Victoria Park, Causeway Bay, 3-5pm, ‘election hustings’ then march to Central
Chater Garden rally, Central, 5-10pm, origami event
Edinburgh Place, Central, 5-10pm, in support of US’ Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act
Park Lane, Tsim Sha Tsui, 4-9pm, singing protest



Planned protests

Thousands gathered at Victoria Park in Causeway Bay on Saturday afternoon, while thousands more have spilled into nearby Hennessy Road.
A black flag was raised in Hennessy Road by police warning of tear gas shortly before 4pm. Soon afterwards canisters of the chemical irritant were fired in the street.

A second deployment of tear gas was fired outside the Central Library, Causeway Road, to disperse the crowd gathering.
Residents are caught up in the chaos, with an elderly man requiring help from demonstrators to leave the area. 


Tear gas fired in Causeway Bay by mid-afternoon

At least three rounds of tear gas were fired soon after 4pm inside Victoria Park, where protesters had gathered in defiance of a police ban against an anti-government rally.
Happening now: Tear gas has been fired inside Victoria Park in Causeway Bay, to disperse protesters building barricades. #HongKongProtests
  Video: SCMP/Zoe Low pic.twitter.com/mu2FvFPU9S
  — SCMP Hong Kong (@SCMPHongKong) November 2, 2019
Officers are on the football pitches demanding people leave. Riot police also move into the central lawn of Victoria Park, warning the crowd there they are taking part in an unlawful assembly.



Victoria Park hit by tear gas

Civilians in Causeway Bay are being ushered back into an MTR exit as they reel from the effects of tear gas.
Among passers-by are a four-year-old girl and her parents, who say they were out for a weekend walk, but encountered tear gas and now their daughter feels sick. They are figuring out how to get to Central. 



Civilians ushered back into MTR exit amid tear gas

Police have detained at least one of the candidates for this month's district council elections.
Richard Chan Chun-chit, of Tai Po district, is held at Victoria Park, where police were pushing candidates back into Victoria Park, from the Kingston Road exit.
Police unleash pepper spray shortly before they subdue Chan. About a dozen more candidates call for his release.
The pro-democracy candidates had said they would hold meetings with small numbers of voters in a bid to try and get around the ban on public assemblies at the park.



 
Police push election candidates back into Victoria Park. #HongKongProtests
  Video: SCMP/Alvin Lum pic.twitter.com/TONfLSJBF4
  — SCMP Hong Kong (@SCMPHongKong) November 2, 2019


Police detain at least one election candidate in Victoria Park

A police water cannon arrives at the scene near Victoria Park in King's Road.
Tear gas is fired outside Sogo department store in Causeway Bay. 

Many shops are forced to close on both sides of Hennessy Road. Staff who do not have gas masks are feeling the sting as the chemical agent lingers in the air.     A man wearing a reflective vest was subdued in Causeway Bay.


Water cannon is deployed

The head of the march from Causeway Bay to Central moves along Wan Chai Road. They chant they have rights to wear face masks.
A crowd reaches a police line in Hennessy Road, where they discuss whether to retreat or keep moving towards Central, the destination of the unauthorised rally.


Protesters confronted with police line in Wan Chai

The leading crowd moves along Wan Chai Rd chanting “I have the right to put on masks” as the riot police are all along Hennessy Rd. The crowd soon reaches the crossroad closest to the police and some start to retreat. #HongKongProtests
  Video: SCMP/Lilian Cheng pic.twitter.com/hhNBotxXcv
  — SCMP Hong Kong (@SCMPHongKong) November 2, 2019


'I have the right to put on masks' 

Meanwhile in Tsim Sha Tsui's Park Lane, dozens of pro-democracy participants begin to gather for what seems to be a laid-back music event. An organiser who identifies herself as Y.M. says she expects a turnout of some 300 people. "We are here to voice our support for those all over the world fighting for human rights and democracy. We hope Hong Kong people can stand up for not only ourselves but others that are under oppression and who are determined to fight for freedom in whatever form.
"I believe music is a good way to connect us."



Pro-democracy music event in Tsim Sha Tsui

Many people appearing to be passers-by are affected by tear gas in Hennessy Road and are seen fleeing the area. Some cover their mouths with napkins.



Caught up in the chaos

Most businesses along Johnston Road in Wan Chai have closed except for a florist shop. The boss, K.K. Ng, says he understands protesters are fighting for Hong Kong, and will prepare for closure this afternoon. 
"The effects on us are relatively minor. We were open until police fired tear gas, and we will close soon. We have learned to be flexible."
Ng's shop is close to police headquarters but he says he is not worried about potential clashes in the area. 


Florist shop owner 'learns to be flexible'

Police spray water cannons to disperse the crowd on Johnston Road, Wan Chai. It does not contain blue dye.
Hundreds of black-clad protesters meanwhile return to Hennessy Road.
Photos: RTHK




Police deploy water cannon

A blue flag is raised then rounds of tear gas fired towards a crowd in Fenwick Street, which is close to police headquarters.
Protesters have been setting up barricades in the area.   


Tear gas and roadblocks in Wan Chai

Victoria Park Swimming Pool was forced to close early at about 4pm. The announcement said it was an "emergency situation". 
Private swimming coach Annissa Kwong had to cut her class short one hour earlier than scheduled, not for the first time because of protests.
She blames the disruption on Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor for her slow response to the extradition bill crisis, which sparked the protests in June and has since been withdrawn.
"The government didn’t solve the crisis and did not respond to the people’s demand at all, Carrie Lam is the ultimate 'culprit'," she says.


Swimming pool closes due to 'emergency situation'

A group of people are having their bags searched on Tonnochy Road, Wan Chai, by police.
The stop and searches are carried out as police ignore the hundreds of protesters continuing to march illegally to Central.



Police stop-and-search operation

A shopkeeper says she was still open for business when police fired tear gas on Gresson Street in Wan Chai. She says she did not realise that clashes would happen in her area today.
"I have no idea that police would fire tear gas. It was so sudden," she says while being attended to by a volunteer first-aider. 



'The tear gas was so sudden'

Photos by Edmond So, Felix Wong and AP:







Scenes from the ground

In Tsim Sha Tsui’s Park Lane, dozens of riot police move in on a singing protest.
They warn those present remove their masks or they will be arrested.



Riot police storm into TST musical protest

A police water cannon is deployed outside Hysan Place to disperse crowds of people, leaving protesters fleeing in Causeway Bay.
On a nearby street, a fire is set inside Best Mart 360 store. It is one of several businesses targeted by hard-core protesters in recent weeks for their perceived links to mainland China or pro-Beijing views. 
Firefighters arrived shortly afterwards to put out the fire. 
A woman is being arrested on another street nearby. 
Photo: Apple Daily



Fire set inside Causeway Bay shop

At an approved rally in Chater Garden in Central, Hugo, a participant in his 20s, says the district council elections mattered. "It is important to reflect our voices to the government," the fresh graduate says. "The elections are the easiest starting point for electoral reforms."
Meanwhile the number of paper cranes folded by rally-goers is growing steadily. The turnout has grown to several hundred. The slogan "never forget those who were sacrificed" is spelled out on some paper cranes, referring to those arrested in protests. 




Hundreds at Chater Garden rally

In Wan Chai near Wu Chung House, a white man tries to clear roadblocks set up by black-clad protesters.
A group of protesters then goes up to him to try and stop him.


Confrontation at roadblock

An officer in Wan Chai puts his warrant card in a slot of his vest but in reverse, showing the side that does not reveal his ID number.
Police have been accused of failing to show their ID in a deliberate ploy to make it harder for protesters to make complaints.


 Policeman's hidden warrant card

In Wan Chai, protesters throw petrol bombs on a street, as many of their peers try to leave the area.
Around the same time, several rounds of tear gas are fired in Johnston Road. At least four people are held by police. One woman is subdued on the ground, before police run into Southorn Playground to take down another woman.
A black flag is raised by police there, warning of tear gas.
Near Wan Chai Road, a girl is seen seen vomiting and coughing after being hit by jets laced with chemical irritant from a police water cannon.
A few minutes earlier about a dozen police vehicles, including a water cannon and armoured car, were on the move from Wan Chai to Central.


Petrol bombs thrown, tear gas fired in Wan Chai

In Tsim Sha Tsui, police arrest a young man in black after finding a green plastic chopping board in his backpack. 



Man arrested in Tsim Sha Tsui over chopping board in backpack

Thousands are gathered in Edinburgh Place in Central to urge the passage of the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act in the US Senate. The crowd has remained relatively quiet, between periodic chants of "Liberate Hong Kong; revolution of our times".
The bill, if passed in the United States, could pave the way for diplomatic action and economic sanctions against Hong Kong’s government. 



Thousands in Edinburgh Place rally calling for US bill

Black-clad protesters have thrown petrol bombs on Queen's Road East in Wan Chai, and outside a hotel on Leighton Road. In response, police fire rounds of tear gas on Queen's Road East, forcing demonstrators into a small retreat. Protesters then hurl bricks on the street. 

Near Southorn Playground, officers have arrested dozens of people and raised the black flag warning for tear gas. 

Meanwhile, in Central, traffic has been disrupted outside the city's top court, with protesters occupying parts of vehicle lanes.


Unrest from Wan Chai to Central as petrol bombs and tear gas traded

The pro-democracy music event has resumed in Tsim Sha Tsui after police leave. Hundreds of civilians, who have regrouped on Park Lane, are chanting pro-democracy slogans amid the performance of musicians. 




Pro-democracy music event resumes in Tsim Sha Tsui

 Groups of protesters have blocked off Connaught Road Central next to the People's Liberation Army barracks and are digging up bricks.

In Central, protesters set up roadblocks on Lung Wo Road. They then occupy roads because police reportedly suspended an authorised rally at Edinburgh Place. 
Soon after, special tactical squads known as the Raptors arrive and subdue at least one person. 
A fire is set on water barricades in the area, but firefighters arrive within minutes to put out the flames. 


Protesters build roadblocks, dig up bricks, start fire

Two district council candidates Osman Cheng and Richard Chan have been arrested, a political source says.
They are among the pro-democracy candidates hosting election meetings at Victoria Park in a bid to get around a police rally ban.
At the park in Causeway Bay a dozen candidates call for their release, chanting they do not need police approval to hold gatherings.
Candidate Adrian Lau Chun-yu, who is running for Sheung Pat Heung North, says police have been insisting assemblies are peaceful but then take violent action.
"The rally just now was peaceful without people blocking road. Yet they charged at us," he says.

He slams police for putting themselves above the law when they arrested Chan, arguing the Public Order Ordinance allows each candidate to hold a rally of no more than 50 people without police approval.
At the time of Chan's arrest, the number of people at the scene did not exceed that number, Lau suggested.
He is worried that if the government ended up postponing the elections in November, it would affect him and his other comrades from the pro-democracy camp.
Lau says he seeks election despite fears he could one day suffer a similar fate as Joshua Wong, the prominent activist disqualified from running in the district council elections.
"In the process, I can show the value of having an election in a democratic society," he says. "Then they will come to know why it is so important to be able to elect their own chief executive too," he says.


Two district council candidates arrested: source

A continuous volley of tear gas fired on Hennessy Road as protesters start to throw petrol bombs. #HongKongProtests
  Video: SCMP/Zoe Low pic.twitter.com/YF3egeLTdB
  — SCMP Hong Kong (@SCMPHongKong) November 2, 2019


Tear gas and petrol bombs traded on Hennessy Road

There have been repeated and long-running exchanges of tear gas and petrol bombs between police and protesters in Hennessy Road.

About 20 protesters are being searched by police in an alleyway next to Southorn Playground. Some 100 bystanders are surveying the scene. Media have not been allowed to get close to observe.
Police throw at least three tear gas canisters into crowds at close range at the playground. One was thrown at a small group of people already retreating.


Photos: Felix Wong
  Earlier, a water cannon arrives in Wan Chai's Queen's Road East to chase and spray protesters, who fleet west.
The intervention comes after police and protesters launch tear gas, petrol bombs and other projectiles in the area.


Intense clashes in Wan Chai, mass searches of protesters

Police threw at least three tear gas canisters into crowds outside Southorn Playground at close proximity, one of them at a small group of people already retreating. #HongKongProtests
  Video: SCMP/Lilian Cheng pic.twitter.com/P8I31ARv1Z
  — SCMP Hong Kong (@SCMPHongKong) November 2, 2019


Tear gas outside Southorn Playground

In Central, petrol bombs have been thrown in a surprise attack on officers, who respond with tear gas. Prior to this, it appeared crowds have cleared and police had the situation under control. 



Surprise petrol bomb attack on police in Central

Protesters ran up to a group of riot police on Queensway and threw petrol bombs. Police responded with tear gas. #HongKongProtests
  Video: SCMP/Albert Han pic.twitter.com/FrA7z6RHYb
  — SCMP Hong Kong (@SCMPHongKong) November 2, 2019


Petrol bomb attacks on Queensway

At least eight rounds of tear gas were fired when protesters rushed towards riot police in Tonnochy Road as they retreated at about 5.40pm. Some of the rounds landed by a group of journalists.
A policewoman later warned the press: “If you stand right in front of us while we work, you may be injured.”
Later a loud explosion was heard as police moved onto Hennessy Road to fire more tear gas, but it is unclear what caused the explosion.
On Canal Road, police are demanding that members of the press identify themselves and remove their masks, and have surrounded one group of journalists while pointing torches at them.


Police issue injury warning to media

Riot police have arrived on Tin Lok Lane to clear road blocks, and are arguing with a man who was taking a break on the sidewalk. They make him take off his mask, telling him: "If you are sick, show us medical proof."
The officers also point their batons at a family with children walking by. 



'If you are sick, show medical proof'

Outside Causeway Bay Square, police suddenly charged at and subdued one man and one woman. #HongKongProtests
  Video: SCMP/Alvin Lum pic.twitter.com/TPyOjCN4sf
  — SCMP Hong Kong (@SCMPHongKong) November 2, 2019


Tense scene of arrests in Causeway Bay Square

The force condemns "masked rioters" as they warn them to stop illegal activities, such as setting up roadblocks and starting fires.
They added some people have placed pins on the road, seriously risking the safety of road users in Wan Chai.
A heavy blanket of smoke hangs over Southorn Playground, a social and sporting hub for the community which has become one of the main battlefields on Saturday between police and protesters.


Police say sharp objects placed on road in Wan Chai

Intense clashes have erupted from Wan Chai to Causeway Bay, as police fire tear gas and radicals hurl petrol bombs at officers. The crowds had gathered in the area earlier in the afternoon for "election hustings" launched by pro-democracy candidates. 
Queen's Road East saw some of the most violent clashes between both sides. Similar confrontations also took place on Hennessy Road. A water cannon was deployed by the force, and this time its jets did not contain blue dye. 
At least two district council candidates have been arrested, according to a source. Scores of arrests have been made on Hong Kong Island. 
Photos by Edmond So.




An overview

A mother who fears her children are among those being searched in an alleyway next to Southorn Playground pleads with police to let her see them. An officer refuses, saying "there is protocol".
Shortly afterwards, about a dozen of the young people held were let go with some remaining in the alleyway.
Then another dozen at least were led onto a coach by police, presumably arrested. Two more were taken away by ambulance.



'Let me see my children'

In Park Lane in Tsim Sha Tsui, hundreds are now at the pro-democracy music event, turning on the lights on their mobile phones and waving these in the air. Police have earlier interrupted the session and warned people against wearing masks, with at least one arrest made. Most shops along the stretch have closed. 
The event, which has so far been mellow and peaceful, features YouTubers belting tunes about Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement. 

 
Park Lane in Tsim Sha Tsui returned to peace after police leave the area, with protesters singing songs including a theme song from the 2014 Occupy movement. #HongKongProtests
  Video: SCMP/Mimi Lau pic.twitter.com/hFhLOA8rsY
  — SCMP Hong Kong (@SCMPHongKong) November 2, 2019


Peaceful music event in Tsim Sha Tsui under way

The Xinhua News Agency office on Queen's Road East has been vandalised, with its glass door entrance smashed. 




Xinhua News Agency office vandalised

Protesters have moved en masse to Central, starting fires at an MTR exit and on the street, including Chater Road.
Rounds of tear gas are fired in the area to disperse the crowds. 
The MTR Corporation announces the immediate closure of Central train station for safety reasons, saying a petrol bomb was thrown at exit B earlier. Trains will not stop at the station.
Rounds of tear gas are fired on Des Voeux Road Central, sending protesters scrambling.
Police continue to fire tear gas as they move along Des Vouex Road Central, towards Sheung Wan. #HongKongProtests
  Video: SCMP/Danny Lee pic.twitter.com/et8Cr9iC6O
  — SCMP Hong Kong (@SCMPHongKong) November 2, 2019
Tensions are on the rise in Causeway Bay as police arrest a man in black shirt around Russell Street in Causeway Bay.


 Central MTR station closed as clashes spread

Police arrest two more protesters on Percival Street in Causeway Bay. The atmosphere is tense as officers point pepper spray at reporters. One police officer charges a reporter with her full-body shield.
Officers fire two rounds of tear gas to disperse the crowds and escort away the two arrested people.
Protesters also set a fire on Hennessy Road in Causeway Bay before retreating.
Two rounds of tear gas are fired at Percival Street, as police struggle to disperse the crowd. #HongKongProtests
  Video: SCMP/Chris Lau pic.twitter.com/J4zzlvvcoh
  — SCMP Hong Kong (@SCMPHongKong) November 2, 2019


Two more protesters arrested and tear gas fired on Percival Street

In Johnston Road, a pro-democracy lawmaker Ted Hui Chi-fung uses a megaphone to ask riot police to calm down.
Also with an amplified voice, a female officer responds warning protesters and reporters "to be careful with their mobile phones, since Hui is around and he might steal your phone".
She is referencing an assault conviction Hui has for snatching a phone from a civil servant.
Johnston Road has been the scene of repeated firing of tear gas.


Police officer taunts politician

Radical protesters have trashed parts of Sheung Wan railway station, including exits B and E3. Exit C of Central, which is closed, has also taken a battering. 
A Starbucks branch in Sheung Wan, which is run under franchise in Hong Kong, has been heavily vandalised.
Businesses deemed to have mainland China links or pro-Beijing views have been targeted by diehard activists in recent weeks. 






Vandals wreak havoc at MTR stations

A petrol bomb lands close to Kowloon Mosque as protesters block Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui. The police presence outside the mosque in TST has been stepped up. 
The city's largest mosque became embroiled in the protest crisis last month when blue dye fired from a police water cannon covered the entrance to the religious site, leading to an apology in person from Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam.
Riot police are in the area and have raised a blue flag warning people to leave. An officer tells the crowd: "The ongoing gathering on Nathan Road is an illegal one. Disperse or police will make arrests."

Nearby, black-clad protesters and a man in a grey shirt fight briefly on Nathan Road. Three men in total were beaten by protesters. It is not known how the outbreak of violence came about. 
Police are sealing off increasing sections of Nathan Road.
The descent into violence follows what was a peaceful musical protest in TST.



Petrol bomb explodes near to Kowloon Mosque

At the A1 exit of Wan Chai MTR station, riot police are standing by. Protesters have set up barricades nearby using bamboo from scaffolding and iron bars. Some others have started a fire. 
A black flag is raised before police fire two rounds of tear gas at the crowd. 
In the surrounding areas to Causeway Bay, crowds have mostly dispersed as police conduct stop-and-search operations on young people.



Tensions high outside Wan Chai MTR station

Since 5pm, police have held up at least a dozen protesters in a sheltered walkway near Wan Chai MTR station and Southorn Playground.



At least a dozen held at Southorn Playground since 5pm

The Best Mart 360 at Jardine's Bazaar in Causeway Bay has been trashed as part of an ongoing campaign by radicals against businesses thought to have mainland ties. Meanwhile, bubble tea shop Europa Tea Foundry on the same street is booming with business. It has a "Lennon Wall", where people can post messages of support for protesters. 




A tale of two shops

Police fire tear gas in Central's Wyndham Street, prompting bars and restaurants in the area to shut their doors on the busiest night of the week for many venues.
The area is popular with drinkers and diners, who include tourists and expats, many of whom are struggling to cope with the effects of tear gas.
It follows a devastating dive in takings on Halloween for businesses in party district Lan Kwai Fong.


Nightlife hub hit by tear gas

Tensions continue to brew on Hong Kong Island, with tear gas fired on Hennessy Road in Causeway Bay, near Southorn Playground in Wan Chai and also on Wyndham Street in Central.
Protesters have set fire to objects outside the playground, trying to stop officers from advancing.
Across the harbour on Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui, riot police have raised the blue flag to warn people that they are in an unlawful assembly and force may be used to disperse them. 


Tensions on both sides of harbour

About 100 riot police charge along Nathan Road, a key arterial road in Kowloon, taking down several people who allegedly aimed laser beams at police.
Officers then retreat back towards TST Police Station after arresting at least two suspects. 
Pro-democracy lawmaker Au Nok-hin tries to question police on why a man was arrested, but he is pushed away.
Protesters trail the retreating officers from a distance and gather outside the police station. Officers issue a warning for crowds to disperse.


Police charge in TST

Here are some pictures from our photographers at the scene:







Snapshots from the ground

Raptors and riot police arrive to disperse protesters outside Sogo in Causeway Bay, who scatter immediately. Many of those remaining appear to be tourists or residents, who pay no heed to the 30 officers who have spread out on Hennessy Road.
As police vehicles turn to leave the scene, onlookers heckle officers, accusing them of driving dangerously close to people on the sidewalks. 



Raptors disperse crowds outside Sogo in Causeway Bay

Hundreds of protesters are outside Tsim Sha Tsui Police Station after confrontations involving petrol bombs and tear gas, as well as arrests.
Police warn they will fire tear gas if the crowd of about 300 does not disperse.   


 Officers warn of tear gas at police station stand-off

Riot police suddenly barge out of Tsim Sha Tsui police station, taking down protesters who refused to stand down on Nathan Road. #HongKongProtests
  Video: SCMP/Mimi Lau pic.twitter.com/u3YHrsqLku
  — SCMP Hong Kong (@SCMPHongKong) November 2, 2019
After emerging from the station and subduing some people, riot officers remain on Nathan Road, raising the blue flag to warn against illegal assembly.
The road is under lockdown as police bid to clear the area of protesters.


A suspect is escorted away by police during the dispersal operation (pictured below). The atmosphere is tense.



Riot officers storm out of TST police station

Police have returned to Hennessy Road in Causeway Bay to fire more rounds of tear gas after earlier attempts failed to disperse protesters. 
Riot police fire two rounds of tear gas directly at reporters walking towards SOGO in Causeway Bay, and a petrol bomb was thrown outside Causeway Plaza as police return to clear the scene. #HongKongProtests
  Video: SCMP/Zoe Low pic.twitter.com/1bz0uNwQ6h
  — SCMP Hong Kong (@SCMPHongKong) November 2, 2019


Tear gas returns to Causeway Bay

In Sheung Wan, construction waste is used to build barricades. An Arome chain, a franchise under the targeted Maxim’s group, has also been vandalised. Water is seeping from the shop. 




As it happened: how another Hong Kong weekend of violence ended in clashes in Mong Kok and Causeway Bay, with Xinhua office smashed

Chaos on Hong Kong Island leads to Central MTR station closing Protesters earlier gathered in Victoria Park for 'election hustings' after application for rally was rejected by police

Chaos on Hong Kong Island leads to Central MTR station closing

Protesters earlier gathered in Victoria Park for 'election hustings' after application for rally was rejected by police