HONG KONG — An angry crowd of people opposed to pro-democracy protests that have paralyzed parts of Hong Kong for more than two weeks tried Monday to charge barricades used by the demonstrators, clashing with police as they attempted to storm the protest zone.
Taxi drivers joined in, some driving their cabs up to the barricades and leaning on their horns to express their anger about the traffic disruptions which have seriously affected their business. The tension later eased as the most of the crowd dispersed. "Before the police came, young men wearing masks and dark clothing came to pick fights with people and we heard that some of them had weapons," said Kevin Ng, a college student who was at the scene saw the scuffles. Demonstrators have flooded the city's streets since Sept. 28 in a civil disobedience movement opposing restrictions on the territory's inaugural 2017 election for its top leader. They want authorities to drop a plan to use a pro-Beijing committee to screen candidates in the election. They also want Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, the city's Beijing-backed leader, to resign.
IN-DEPTH
- Hong Kong's 'Silent Majority' Demand End to Protests
- Hong Kong Leader: 'Zero Chance' Beijing Will Give In
- GALLERY: Protesters Sleep in Hong Kong's Nooks and Crannies