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Tens of thousands of Hongkongers are expected to return to Admiralty on Saturday night to mark the fifth anniversary of the start of the Occupy movement, when volleys of tear gas triggered 79 days of sit-ins for democracy.
A massive yellow banner with the words “We are back” was unfurled, in a nod to a similar banner put up at the end of the movement which read “We will be back”. Police took it down within an hour.
A police source said about 2,000 officers would be sent to deal with any disturbance, while water cannons were on standby near Beijing’s liaison office in Western district and at the government headquarters in Tamar.
The rally at Tamar Park – organised by the Civil Human Rights Front – came as months-long social unrest, triggered by the now-withdrawn extradition bill, neared its 17th week.
Reporting by Kimmy Chung, Kanis Leung, Linda Lew, Gigi Choy, Nectar Gan, Cissy Zhou, Victor Ting and Jeffie Lam


As it happened: Hong Kong travellers searched after Occupy movement anniversary rally descends into clashes

How songs are empowering Hong Kong’s protesters in their fight to be heard

Thousands rally in central Hong Kong against controversial police holding centre – even though city leader Carrie Lam says it won’t be used for protesters again

News

Hong Kong

Politics

A screengrab from a YouTube video shows protesters playing Glory to Hong Kong. Photo: YouTube

Protesters gather for a sing-along protest ‘the Town is ever-singing’ and play with reservation slips printed out from the Maxim's chain of restaurants on the 8th floor of New Town Plaza in Sha Tin. 22SEP19 SCMP / Nora Tam

Students at Po Leung Kuk Celine Ho Yam Tong College sang "Do You Hear the People Sing?" while the Chinese national anthem was being played in the school hall. Photo: Facebook

The rally attracted a big turnout in the heart of Central. Photo: Winson Wong

Thousands attended the rally in Central, to raise concerns over a police holding centre near the cityâs border with mainland China, following allegations of maltreatment of protesters detained there. 27SEP19 SCMP/ Winson Wong

Image of the San Uk Ling Holding Centre in Sheung Shui. 31 of 54 anti-extradition bill protesters were arrested on August 11 and detained in the centre were later sent to hospital, six with fractured bones.  29AUG19 SCMP / Winson Wong


Protesters hurl petrol bombs and burn communist flag while police use water cannon and tear gas, at the site where a previous clash sparked a pro-democracy movement in 2014
The anniversary comes amid a more violent period of social unrest, about to enter its 17th week



Protesters point laser beams and police use pepper spray, at the site where volleys of tear gas sparked a pro-democracy movement in 2014. The anniversary comes amid a more violent period of social unrest, about to enter its 17th week.


Hong Kong protests

Live

Some MTR station exits in Admiralty, Causeway Bay and Wan Chai have already been closed ahead of the rally. The railway operator has warned that certain stations or exits may be shut down at any time.


Some MTR exits closed ahead of rally

Earlier in the day, groups of protesters pasted posters all the way from Causeway Bay to Admiralty, creating a long “Lennon Wall”, one of many such displays which have popped up around the city.


Poster campaign

Bus operator Citybus has announced diversions for routes 40M and 88R "due to road condition", and says passengers should check its mobile app for the latest traffic information.


Two bus routes diverted

Dozens of protesters hurl abuse at police guarding the entrance to the government headquarters.
A few kick the barricades and metal fences but most are verbally abusive.



Police verbally abused

Police raise the red warning flag - "stop charging or we use force" - and fire pepper spray over the barricades at protesters.

 


Pepper spray fired

Riot police have continued firing pepper spray from behind the water-filled barricades at the government headquarters. Protesters were kicking the barriers.
The pepper spray hit at least one journalist, covering his camera screen during a live broadcast.
Riot police have fired pepper spray from behind water-filled barricades at some protesters at the central government offices, who are kicking the barriers . The pepper spray has hit some journalists. #hongkongprotests
Video: SCMP/Kimmy Chung pic.twitter.com/sIqSB5fAmV
— SCMP Hong Kong (@SCMPHongKong) September 28, 2019


Pepper spray use continues

Reflecting on the fifth anniversary of the Occupy movement, a speaker at the Tamar Park rally laments what she says is a breakdown of the rule of law and policing since then.
"Officers who kicked and hit a protester in a dark corner five years ago have been held to account," the speaker says. "But now when police see cameras filming them, they will just kick and hit them more and harder."


Occupy reflections 

Meanwhile, over at the government headquarters, some protesters climb the water barricades to shout at police.



Abuse continues

Below are some pictures of what happened on September 28, 2014, which the protesters are commemorating.

That evening, in response to a restrictive framework for electoral reform handed down by Beijing, protesters took over Harcourt Road, Admiralty, before police used pepper spray and tear gas in an attempt to clear the road.

The occupation would remain in place for 79 days, and was supplemented by similar sit-ins in Causeway Bay and Mong Kok.

Photos by K.Y. Cheng and Dickson Lee


What happened five years ago

Dozens of protesters have entered Harcourt Road, just as they did when the Occupy movement kicked off in 2014. Some are trying to cross the road, but many are lingering.

Traffic is backed up on Harcourt Road, where cones and tape have been used to make a roadblock. Protesters are sporadically letting cars pass through.

Photo: Linda Lew


Blocking Harcourt Road

The rally officially began with a speaker recounting the 87 rounds of tear gas fired during the Occupy movement five years ago and the details of the recent anti-government protests.
“People are back. Before the dawn comes, the darkness is very dark. But we will soon welcome the dawn,” the speaker says.


'People are back'

Protesters have filled a long stretch of the lawn at Tamar Park.

 


Park filling up

Ms Wong came to the rally with her two daughters. They hung a chain of paper cranes by the "Lennon Wall".
The 67-year-old retiree watched the dialogue held by Chief Executive Carrie Lam Chine Yuet-ngor on Thursday, and disapproved of her responses.

"She was like an alien. I couldn't see any sincerity," she says.
She thought the difference between the Occupy movement and the recent unrest was that people seem more united. She says city residents are waking up to the fact that much of society is controlled by a government appointed largely by special interests and not voted for by the people.
Photo by Linda Lew


A voice from the scene

Chan Siu-ping, an emcee during the Occupy protests, says protesters in the latest campaign have learned from the shortcomings of the previous movement and have marked a new history in fighting for democracy and justice.
She praises protesters for making the movement roll on without leaders. She also says she misses her old emcee partner, jailed lawmaker Shiu Ka-chun.


Praise for new campaign

Reverend Chu Yiu-ming, a co-founder of the Occupy campaign, takes to the stage.
He tells the crowd not to forget Occupy protesters who are still in jail, as well as those "sacrificed" in the current protests.
After his speech, people stand and observe a minute's silence.



Occupy co-founder takes to stage

Protesters point laser beams at a helicopter flying over Tamar Park.
Earlier, there were accusations a helicopter showered fluorescent powder on demonstrators in previous rallies.

Photo: Felix Wong


Laser pointers aimed at helicopter

At the government headquarters, police have fired water at protesters who are shining lasers and throwing rocks.
But it does not appear to be from a police water cannon.


Water fired at protesters

Protesters have piled barricades and pot plants outside two side entrances to the government headquarters. The entrances are shuttered, but the protesters say they want to stop police officers using that way to get to the park from the headquarters.
“Black cops are our enemies,” the graffiti reads.

In a statement, the force warns protesters to stop charging police cordon lines. The statement says protesters pointed laser beams at the entrance of the HQ.
"Having given repeated warnings to the protesters but in vain, police have used minimum force," it reads.
Photo: Kimmy Chung


'Black cops are our enemies'

Riot police officers have raised the red flag on Tim Wa Avenue, the road between the Chief Executive's Office and the People's Liberation Army Hong Kong garrison.
Police earlier raised the red flag - warning of the use of force - at the other side of the government complex.


Red flag raised again

Hundreds of protesters remain on Harcourt Road, bringing traffic to a halt there.
“Reclaim Hong Kong; revolution of our times,” they chant.



Hundreds on Harcourt Road

The red warning flag with the words "stop charging or we use force" has been raised on Harcourt Road.
Protesters are hurl projectiles - including bricks - over the water-filled barricades where officers are stationed.


Another red flag raised

A secondary school student, who identifies himself as Hin (right), says students form the backbone of the anti-government protests, adding that many will boycott classes to rally on September 30, ahead of National Day on October 1.

"Five years ago, I was still a kid," he says, "But this year, we have returned in far greater numbers; 1 million, 2 million people.”
Photo by Kanis Leung


'Five years ago, I was still a kid'

At the rally, a university student speaker mentions that US scholar Dan Garrett was denied entry to the city and says Hong Kong will soon be like Macau.
Macau frequently refuses activists entry. On Friday, veteran pan-democrat Albert Ho Chun-yan was stopped from entering that city.
As he speaks, tensions rise on Tim Wa Avenue, with some protesters at the rally trying to go to the area to support their peers.


Tensions rise

Buses are turning back at the roadblock set up by protesters on Harcourt Road.



No way through

Pan-democratic lawmaker Tanya Chan slams the “sham dialogue session” held by Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor on Thursday.
“Some people say she has handed us a big present, by announcing police will stop using the notorious San Uk Ling Holding Centre. How is this a gift when the force should never have used it in the first place,” she tells the rally.


Lawmaker slams 'sham' dialogue session 

Academic Benny Tai Yiu-ting, one of the co-founders of the Occupy movement, has taken to the stage. He starts by tracing the history of pro-democracy movements in the city, including the 2003 protests against national security legislation and the 2014 Occupy protests. 
“Every generation of Hongkongers has come out to fight for the same goal, genuine democracy in Hong Kong,” he says, calling on his fellow protesters not to feel discouraged by the lack of progress.

Tai is currently out on bail pending appeal, having been jailed over his role in the 2014 sit-ins.
He tells the crowd to continue to write letters to his fellow co-founder Chan Kin-man, who is still in prison, saying it is a great source of encouragement to him behind bars.
Photo: Kanis Leung


Occupy co-founder speaks

The bridge linking the Pacific Place mall to Queensway Plaza and the bus terminal is closed.

Most shops in Pacific Place are closed.
Photo: Gigi Choy


Bridge to Pacific Place closed

Former student leader Tommy Cheung Sau-yin hits out at the government and the pro-establishment camp for police's handling of the protests.
Cheung says there is no way to back down in the fight though he does not know how long the movement will last.
Concluding his speech, he leads protesters to shout: “Five key demands, not one less.”


Former student leader speaks

A protester wears a V For Vendetta mask outside the government headquarters.



Dressing the part

A water cannon has arrived at the government complex.



Water cannon arrives

Figo Chan, deputy convenor of the Civil Human Rights Front, which organised the rally, says police told the group they would start the clearance operation after 15 to 30 minutes, if they fail to maintain order.

“Please be careful. There are many peaceful protesters here and we have to see each other on October 1,” he says.
Photo: Kimmy Chung


'Please be careful'

Joshua Wong Chi-fung, the activist who came to prominence during the Occupy movement, gets overwhelming support from the crowd as he says people are back with even stronger determination five years later.

“I am not a leader and there is no main stage,” he says.
Wong says he will help stoke the social movement and let the international community know about the persistence of Hongkongers.
Photo: Kanis Leung


'I am not a leader and there is no main stage'

Billy Li On-yin, convenor of the pro-democracy Progressive Lawyers Group, asks the crowd if they remember scenes five years ago when protesters held umbrellas for police when it rained.
“Now we will only use umbrellas to shield ourselves from bullets,” he says. 
Li calls on the crowd not to descend to the level of “rogue cops” by escalating violence, while some rally-goers shout back that it is self-defence.


Changed days

Announcing the end of the peaceful and lawful rally in Tamar Park at 8.25pm, Civil Human Rights Front convenor Jimmy Sham Tsz-kit urges the crowds to leave in an orderly manner along the promenade towards Central or Wan Chai.
The rally ends about 30 minutes early.


Rally officially ends

Not far from the scene of the standoff between police and protesters, soldiers are spotted patrolling inside the barracks of the People’s Liberation Army Hong Kong garrison.

Photo: Kimmy Chung


Soldiers on patrol

In a message published on the government's website and sent to broadcasters, police note the Harcourt Road blockage, saying some "violent protesters" have damaged property outside the government headquarters and aimed laser beams at a helicopter, posing "a serious threat to the safety of everyone at scene".
"Police warn the protesters to stop all illegal acts at once. Police appeal to members of the public to avoid travelling to the area and stay tuned to the latest traffic arrangement," the message reads.
 
 


Police warning

Protesters burn a hammer and sickle flag and slam the Chinese Communist Party in English.



Communist flag burned

Protesters have been collecting bricks in front of the Admiralty MTR station at Queensway Plaza. They are throwing them at the government headquarters.
Protesters collecting bricks in front of Queensway Plaza at Admiralty. #hongkongprotests
Video: SCMP/Gigi Choy pic.twitter.com/vNnxvsim4T
— SCMP Hong Kong (@SCMPHongKong) September 28, 2019
 


Bricks thrown

Protesters have thrown at least two petrol bombs.



Petrol bombs thrown 

Police have used a water cannon on protesters on Harcourt Road. The water contains blue dye, intended to make it easier to identify protesters later.
Reporters at the scene say the water also appears to contain pepper spray.
Police fire water cannons at protesters at Harcourt Road. #hongkongprotests
Video: SCMP/Kimmy Chung pic.twitter.com/l7N3m36OtN
— SCMP Hong Kong (@SCMPHongKong) September 28, 2019

Photo: Felix Wong


Water cannon fired

Protesters have smashed advertising boards at a bus stop.
Protesters hammer at and vandalise advertisement boards at a bus stop near Harcourt Road. #hongkongprotests
Video: SCMP/Nectar Gan pic.twitter.com/j7qlhq7y1I
— SCMP Hong Kong (@SCMPHongKong) September 28, 2019
 


Vandals at work

Police have fired tear gas on Harcourt Road.
Police fire tear gas on Harcourt Road, outside the government headquarters. #hongkongprotests
Video: SCMP/Nectar Gan pic.twitter.com/ZTmAr4LUMg
— SCMP Hong Kong (@SCMPHongKong) September 28, 2019



Tear gas fired

Civil Human Rights Front convenor Jimmy Sham estimates 200,000 to 300,000 people attended the rally, more than expected.
Sham says police had asked them to end the rally as soon as possible.
“Police told us they would have clearance operation soon,” he says.


Bigger crowd at rally than expected, says organiser

More photos coming in from the scene, by Sam Tsang. They show protesters hurling petrol bombs...


... and police using water cannon.




Photos from the scene

In a broadcast message, police say radical protesters who hurled petrol bombs at the government headquarters posed a serious threat to the safety of everyone, including officers at the scene.
"Police will deploy appropriate force to disperse the protesters. Police warn protesters to stop any illegal acts and leave immediately," the message says. 
"Police also remind members of public in the vicinity to stay tuned to the latest situation and stay indoors."


Police warn protesters

After police used water to disperse the crowd outside the Chief Executive's Office, demonstrators have retreated and are walking towards Central.



Protesters retreat

Riot police have arrived on Harcourt Road, leading protesters to flee. Police are also on nearby Rodney Street.
There are also officers inside Admiralty MTR station.



 


Fleeing from Harcourt Road

Scores of riot police are advancing towards Admiralty and have just raised a blue flag, warning protesters they are participating in an unlawful assembly.


Blue flag raised

A large number of protesters, mostly dressed in black, pack the footbridge linking the IFC shopping centre to the Central piers.
They are trying to leave via the Hong Kong MTR station or by ferries.



Heading off

Riot police are also outside the Pacific Place mall on Queensway, leaving only a few lanes for traffic.
But they don't stay around for too long, heading back to police headquarters a little further down the road.



Police on Queensway

About a dozen police vehicles have arrived at Harcourt Road and officers armed with long shields are clearing barricades set by protesters, who have largely deserted the road to head to Central.
A woman yells “Police, calm down” in front of dozens of officers on Harcourt Road.

 


Clearance under way

As protesters in Central work out how to leave, some change T-shirts.



Switch of gear

Responding to a key demand at the Tamar rally for democratic reforms, the government says it will assess the situation carefully and take forward constitutional development “in accordance with the Basic Law and the relevant Interpretation and decisions of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress."
 "To achieve this aim, the community needs to engage in dialogues, premised on the legal basis and under a peaceful atmosphere with mutual trust, with a view to narrowing differences and attaining a consensus agreeable to all sides," it says in a statement.


Government responds to demands for democratic reforms

Hundreds of protesters are queuing for ferries to Tsim Sha Tsui, with some shouting: “Don’t take the MTR, take ferries!”
The city’s rail giant has become a target of protesters, who accuse it of working in favour of police and the government.
As protesters wait for their ferry rides, they sing the protest song “Glory to Hong Kong”.
Protesters are waiting for ferries to Tsim Sha Tsui, with some cautioning others against taking the MTR. As they wait, they sing the protest anthem “Glory to Hong Kong”. #hongkongprotests
Video: SCMP/Kanis Leung pic.twitter.com/nvBmf0wm32
— SCMP Hong Kong (@SCMPHongKong) September 28, 2019



Ferry preferred to MTR

In another statement, the police force says “appropriate force” has been used against a large group of violent protesters who vandalised glass panels outside the government headquarters and set up barricades on Harcourt Road. 
It adds that the report room services of Wan Chai Police station have been temporarily suspended.


'Appropriate force' used, police say

Riot police have stopped two buses in Wan Chai at the intersection of Fleming Road and Harbour Road near Central Plaza. 
They have asked passengers to leave the buses and line up to be searched.


Buses stopped for passenger search

In Wan Chai, riot police have removed the personal belongings, including masks and T-shirts, of some passengers and placed them on the ground to photograph for evidence.
Some passengers have been let back onto an NWFB route104 bus after a search.


Search continues

There is a heavy police presence outside the Sogo department store in Causeway Bay. Some angry citizens are singing songs against the force.



Police in Causeway Bay

Police have started a large-scale stop and search operation in Causeway Bay. Photos: Felix Wong




 
 


Stop and search operation begins

There is also a similar operation under way at the Kowloon side of the Cross-Harbour Tunnel in Hung Hom. Photos: K. Y. Cheng




 


And searches in Hung Hom also

At least one man was taken into a police van after buses were searched on Fleming Road. 


Man taken into police vehicle

Lawmaker Ted Hui is on the scene in Wan Chai to mediate and observe police conduct. Hui says he saw two women and a man being taken into a police van. He says he asked police why they were being taken but got no answer.
"You are not explaining why you're searching these young people. Please ask your supervisor to explain," Hui says through a loudspeaker.

 
