Hong Kong residents rally in support of police as violence escalates

Residents of the Chinese territory of Hong Kong have taken to the streets against rioting and the recent escalation of violence, in a move to express support for the police, who have recently become a prime target of attacks by masked protesters.

Waving Chinese and Hong Kong flags, Hundreds of demonstrators gathered at the city’s legislature and police headquarters on Saturday.

Some of them were holding up posters stating “Police we stand with you,” while others chanted “Support the police.” 

“From the bottom of our hearts, we believe it is the correct thing to support the police in fighting the rioters for Hong Kong citizens,” said a 49-year-old demonstrator. “A lot of people keep silent, afraid of the rioters. It’s time for all the people who are silent to step up and say that’s enough.” 

The rally is being held amid the escalation of violence this week in the former British colony.

In almost six months of anti-government protests in Hong Kong, this week brought a new phase of violence; a masked protester was hit by a live bullet and “rioters” poured “flammable liquid” on a man and set him on fire.

A 70-year-old street cleaner was killed on Thursday after being hit on the head by "hard objects hurled by masked rioters,” according to police.

Since then, protesters have barricaded at least five university campuses, stockpiling petrol bombs, catapults, bows and arrows and other weapons.

The city also remained paralyzed for a fifth day as protesters blocked a key highway on Friday.

The Tolo highway, which runs along the side of the leafy campus of Chinese University, was partially opened by protesters on Friday, authorities said.

It was however shut again during the evening rush hour.

Authorities reopened the highway again on Saturday after they had cleared debris left behind by petrol bombs from the road.

They said that some train services were also gradually resuming work, after having remained suspended for at least five days.

The semi-autonomous Chinese territory has been rocked by turbulent protests since June, when some people began protesting against a proposed extradition bill across the city. The proposal has since been withdrawn.

The Chinese government says the United States and Britain have been fanning the flames of unrest in Hong Kong by supporting the protesters.

Hong Kong has been governed under a “one-country, two-system” model since the city — a former British colony — was returned to China in 1997.

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