Hong Kong Police Using Tear Gas Against Student Protesters

Police Unleash Tear Gas in Hong Kong Protests (The New York Times)

HONG KONG — Clashes between pro-democracy protesters and the authorities in Hong Kong escalated on Sunday when the police unleashed tear gas in an attempt to disperse the crowds that have besieged the city government for three days, and Beijing issued a firm condemnation of what it called “illegal acts” by the opposition.

The police fired tear gas canisters on a crowd of thousands in front of the headquarters of the city government, and as the vapor spread, demonstrators retreated but then sought to return to the area, which they had seized Friday night. Officers also squirted pepper spray and raised their batons to ward off angry residents.

Yet even hours after the police sought to break up the protest, the streets nearby remained crowded with thousands of defiant residents. Police officers were also injured in skirmishes with protesters. Streets of the city known as a safe enclave for commerce became a nighttime battleground.