Police repeatedly fired tear gas in clashes with protesters fighting for democracy as parts of Hong Kong descended into chaos yesterday with tens of thousands on the streets to demand Beijing grant the city full universal suffrage.
The rare scenes — in which crowds faced down riot police in the international financial hub — forced protest leaders to warn supporters to “retreat and save their lives” if rubber bullets were fired.
Protesters screamed “Shame!” at officers, many in gas masks and riot gear, as they tried to shield themselves from the clouds of tear gas which was last used in Hong Kong in 2005.
It marked a dramatic escalation of protests in the city, which rarely sees such violence.
Protesters have defiantly stuck to their demands for full universal suffrage after Beijing last month said it would allow elections for the city´s next leader in 2017 but will vet the candidates — a decision branded a “fake democracy”.
