This archive report was first published on 16 September 2019.
Hong Kong's 100 Days of Protests ¶
On June 9, more than a million people marched in Hong Kong's biggest demonstration since 1997 to protest a draft government bill that would allow extradition to mainland China.
Violence erupted when pockets of protesters fought running battles with police, leading to the worst clashes since the handover on June 12.
Police used tear gas, rubber bullets, and batons against demonstrators, injuring dozens and killing one protester who fell from a roof.
Despite Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam suspending work on the bill on June 15, protesters demanded its full withdrawal, with organisers claiming two million people took part in a city of 7.3 million.
On July 1, the anniversary of Hong Kong's return to China, hundreds of protesters smashed their way into parliament and ransacked the building.
Eight days later, Lam said the extradition bill 'is dead', but refused to withdraw it, fearing protesters would dismiss her gesture and the bill could be resurrected if protests died down.
On July 21, riot police threw tear gas and rubber bullets after China's office in the city was daubed with eggs and graffiti, sparking a furious reaction from Beijing.
Masked, stick-wielding government supporters – suspected to be triad gangsters – descended on protesters in a train station, beating many.
Already seething anger against police was compounded by accusations they were too slow to respond to the attack and failed to arrest the aggressors on site.
Running battles between riot police and protesters continued on July 27 and 28, with the local authorities and Beijing toughening their stance and dozens arrested.
Despite warnings from the Chinese military, there was an eighth consecutive weekend of demonstrations on August 3-4, with police stations targeted.
On August 5, a strike brought the city to a standstill, and for a third night, police confronted protesters.
Hong Kong's airport cancelled flights on August 12 after being invaded by thousands of black-clad protesters.
On August 15, thousands of Chinese military personnel paraded in Shenzhen, just across the border.
A march of about 1.7 million people on August 18 passed off peacefully.
On August 25, police used water cannon and fired a warning shot after clashes in which protesters threw bricks and Molotov cocktails.
Several prominent democracy activists were arrested on August 30.
On August 31, tens of thousands marched in an unsanctioned rally, with a hard-core group hurling petrol bombs.
Police threw tear gas and water cannon in some of the most intense clashes to date.
On September 4, Lam said the extradition bill was withdrawn, but the move was dismissed by activists whose campaign had broadened to demand greater democratic freedoms, police accountability, and amnesty for the more than 1,000 arrested activists.
On September 6, thousands held new rallies, with police throwing tear gas and rubber bullets against a few hundred outside a police station.
On September 8, activists marched to the US consulate, with radicals later clashing with riot police.
Leading activist Joshua Wong went to Germany to rally support – prompting an angry reaction from China – and then to the United States.
Underscoring the tension in the city, democracy activists and Beijing supporters exchanged blows on September 14, with several people on both sides bloodied and bruised after a fight in a mall.
On September 15, the 99th day of the revolt, tens of thousands of people defied authorities for an unsanctioned rally.
At Britain's consulate, they demanded London's protection and that it ramps up pressure on Beijing over sliding freedoms.
Small groups attacked the main government complex, hurling Molotov cocktails and rocks over security barriers.
Police fired tear gas and deployed water cannon trucks.
Renewed brawls also broke out in the evening between rival political camps, with multiple people left bloodied and hospitalised.
