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PEACE FIRED TEAR gas as tens of thousands of pro-democracy demonstrators brought parts of central Hong Kong to a standstill in a dramatic escalation of protests that have gripped the semi-autonomous Chinese city for days.
There were chaotic scenes, with protesters screaming “Shame!” at police as they tried to shield themselves from the clouds of gas.
Several scuffles broke out between police in riot gear and demonstrators angered by the use of tear gas, which is rare in Hong Kong. An elderly woman was seen being carried away by protesters.
Police had earlier used hand-held pepper spray on demonstrators who had spilt onto a major multi-lane highway after breaking through barricades set up to stop people swelling the crowds camped outside Hong Kong’s government headquarters since Friday.
Traffic had ground to a halt on busy Connaught Road, with police forced to retreat as the protesters rushed towards the crowds outside government headquarters on the other side. They cheered and embraced each other in the middle of the road, a major city artery usually filled with whizzing taxis and buses.
China, which stations a military garrison in Hong Kong, said it was confident the city’s administration could handle the protest.
https://vine.co/v/OZTHbU1aQQD
The extraordinary scenes came at the climax of a week of student-led action against China’s refusal to grant full democracy to the former British colony.
Beijing said that while it would allow elections for Hong Kong’s leader in 2017, it would insist on vetting the candidates.
Students have boycotted classes in the past week, while the increasingly tense protests have also seen them mob the city’s leader and storm into the complex housing government headquarters.
Prominent pro-democracy group Occupy Central threw its weight behind the protests on Sunday, saying they were bringing forward a mass civil disobedience campaign that had been due to start on October 1.
“Occupy Central starts now,” Tai told the crowds outside government headquarters.
The group had sparked months of heated debate in the city of seven million over its plan to bring Hong Kong’s financial district to a standstill with a mass sit-in. On Sunday they appeared to have come close to reaching that goal.
Hong Kong’s leader, Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, told a press conference his administration was “resolute in opposing the unlawful occupation actions by Occupy Central”, branding its activities illegal as they were designed to paralyse the city.
He said his government would hold more public consultations on the planned political changes — a move already scheduled before the protests.
‘The world needs to know’
Traffic on the busy Connaught Road had already been heavily slowed by a man who had climbed onto the outside of a bridge and threatened to jump unless protesters were allowed through police lines. Firefighters were forced to place a large inflatable mat on the road below.
He surrendered shortly after the protesters broke through.
Ryan Chung, a 19-year old student watching events unfold, said:
“We have the right to stay here and to protest. The world needs to know what is happening in Hong Kong. They need to know we want democracy but don’t have it.”
The crowds of protesters camped outside the city’s government headquarters had swelled on Saturday night to more than 10,000, with scuffles with police overnight as lines of officers pushed back surges of people with riot shields.
Political analyst Sonny Lo said the protests marked a turning point in the city’s long campaign for democracy.
“From now on there will be more confrontation, possibly violent ones between citizens and police,” he said.
But he added that with Beijing maintaining a hardline stance, it was difficult to see a way out of the standoff.
“The government needs to handle the students very carefully — any mishandling will spark larger acts of civil disobedience,” he said.
Former colonial power Britain handed Hong Kong back to China in 1997 under a “one country, two systems” deal that guarantees liberties not seen on the mainland, including freedom of speech and the right to protest.
But tensions have been growing in the southern Chinese city over fears that these freedoms are being eroded, as well as perceived political interference from Beijing.
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A new building firm called McAteer & Fitzpatrick construction will get the contract.
I get it, I see what you did there!
“finish what Anglo started” sounds like something out of Goodfellas
Everyone should google, Who appointed Patrick Neary Financial Regulator and read this guy’s history? How he got the job, is obvious that he was picked to sleep on the job and be in a coma!
One of NAMA’s finest will be in for the job no doubt?
Will look pretty cool when it’s finished
As long as the offices look good, who care how madly managed the institution is?
I’m saying it will look good, does everything have to have a begruding context to it?
@polar bear!!
I’m afraid it usually does !!
And the staff will look for disturbance money for moving a mile down the road. 10 grand each should cover it.
I hear that Patrick Neary says that if he had these lovely shiny, bright and prestigious offices he could have easily regulated the Banks.
Now we have the CBI focused on prestigious offices in a landmark location while the Banks succumb to the mortal wounds they self inflicted.
It’s a pity that we Irish focus on the baubles, the shiny stuff and fail to recognise that it is not the buildings and offices that count but the integrity and independence of the personnel working there.
Of course I begrudge the CBI the folly of these premises. I would prefer the money to be spent on health services at point of supply, on building social housing and for truly worthy purposes. Think what Peter McVerry could do with this money. Our priorities are wrong and aesthetic quality is a luxury we can’t afford.
The main responsibilities of this incompetent institution now reside in Frankfurt. Can we not simply disband this useless quango?
Eric, good point. These are going to be very expensive offices for mere puppets.
I see no sign that the CBI has acquired any competence or capability.
After the Banks have failed, this body may have little to do.
In 2004, the regulation of the supply of credit in the public interest, the previous statutory responsibility of the CBI, was abolished.
A country with sh1tty hospitals and gleaming central banks, you can see where things are going.
Best comment in a long time.
The symbolism of a failed and grossly unfit for purpose Central Bank of Ireland inhabiting the intended HQ of a recklessly and grossly mismanaged Bank is pretty plain.
No one can accuse the CBI of lacking a sense of irony although it may just be a lack of sound sense.
What are the plans,if any, for the Central Bank’s current monstrosity on Dame Street?
A Viking museum?
Laughing!
Starbucks
Padraig – in answer to your question of what they should do?
They should be made rebuild what was there before the monstrosity , where the green bus is in this pic is what torn down to build it.
http://www.photography.paul-walsh.net/landscape/Cushman/images/11a.jpg
Apartments for leprechains
The new headquarters for the Leprechaun museum.
A massive Burger King.
Occupy Dame Street offices
Wetherspoons
Apparently Facebook were looking at it Padraig. Not sure if they went any further than looking at it though.
I hear it’s becoming the worlds first ten story Starbucks…
Apple were interested in it too. They’re looking for a large building in central Dublin.
Library wasn’t it?
The central bank on Dame street is actually a fine example of brutalist architecture in Dublin and is a very well engineered structure! May not be popular now, but tearing down buildings such as these will do long term damage to Dublins architectural diversity!
A nice monument to our unelected masters.
Hope new Central Bank Building has an Interpretive Centre in its basement, for visitors on the Dublin Tourist circuit to learn of the follies of our past overlords.
A replica of our past Banking Regulator’s desk and easy-chair to sit centre stage.
Maybe Sean Quinn could put in a submission?
Failing that, perhaps Tom McFeeley could help them out.
A monument to ego and hubris is a fitting place for the CBI.
Finish what Anglo started? You mean the complete and utter devastation of the countries banking system and public finances…
Some bust developer will get a nice number there,boi
Surely it won’t be a central bank and more? Slightly east of centre perhaps centre right in location and ideology??
Does the new Emperor have any clothes?
Keep it as it is, its an honest reflection of this country. But then again fancy offices for central bank would help emphasise where current priorities lie
We should have a statue of Patrick Neary erected on Dame Street, made out of wood. In every sense, a perfect likeness.
I think the Dame St site would be a perfect location for the Dublin City Library. I know there are plans to put it on Parnell Square.
Oooh glass + anger
Well both entities were always close. So it’s nice to see the central bank fitting snugly into the vacant space…… ;)
It should be left as is with the story of the bust carved into the concrete as a warning to future generations. Along with a big display showing the realtime 60 odd billion being paid off.
A total f*ck up of the economy?
Anyone know what will happen then to the existing Central Bank building?
Tom mc feeley has the contract
And Mr.Nearys “gofor” coming back in to help run the show. Great little country alright.
I hope that’s not your phone number you just put out there on a public website…
have your say