HONG KONG (TIP): Tension spiked at democracy protests that have gripped Hong Kong for nearly two months as police arrested four men early Wednesday after a small group of activists tried to force their way into the city’s legislature in overnight clashes. The arrests came hours after authorities enforced a court order to clear some barricades from a small section of a site occupied by pro-democracy activists. Police used pepper spray, batons and riot shields against the umbrella-wielding protesters wearing masks, goggles and hardhats, who they said repeatedly charged their cordon and injured three officers. The protesters used metal barricades and concrete slabs to smash glass doors at the legislature before officers police rushed in to push them back. Pro-democracy lawmaker Fernando Cheung tried to intervene but was pulled aside by some protesters. Cheung told reporters that he saw one person enter the building. The violence apparently involved protesters who organized their action through an Internet forum known to attract people with radical views.
Be the first to comment