Flouting a police ban and official warnings not to take part in unsanctioned protests, thousands of Hongkongers yesterday took to the streets in a continuation of the city’s months-long pro-democracy protest movement. Some had billed the wildcat rallies, which coincided with China’s massive National Day celebrations, as a way for Hongkongers to “celebrate their mom” — a play on the Cantonese insult “fuck your mom.”
The protests ultimately took a turn for the chaotic, with tear gas, rubber bullets, and molotov cocktails flying across several Hong Kong districts.
Here’s a selection of images of yesterday’s unruly demonstrations captured by Coconuts HK‘s reporters in the field.
Protesters wearing Guy Fawkes masks from the film “V for Vendetta” in Causeway Bay ahead of an unauthorized rally on National Day. Photo by Samantha Mei Topp.A protester in Wan Chai tears down a large sign lauding the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Photo by Samantha Mei Topp.A helicopter hovers over the crowd of protesters as they pass through Wan Chai. Photo by Stuart White.A smashed mirror outside Admiralty MTR station with a photo of the iconic “Tank Man” protester at Tiananmen Square placed inside. Photo by Samantha Mei Topp.Protesters pass through Admiralty on their way to Central. Photo by Stuart White.A protester throws joss paper, or “spirit money,” symbolizing the death of Hong Kong, as he walks past Admiralty station. Photo by Samantha Mei Topp.Protesters regroup and gear up outside of the Court of Final Appeal. Photo by Samantha Mei Topp.A protester carries an umbrella, the unofficial emblem of Hong Kong’s defiant spirit, printed with a large middle finger, the unofficial emblem of sticking it to the man. Photo by Samantha Mei Topp.Protesters walk along the Rumsey Street flyover. Photo by Samantha Mei Topp.A fire burns on a street on Hong Kong Island as riot police look on. Photo by Samantha Mei Topp.A tear gas round arcs through the air in Admiralty after protesters occupied streets in the vicinity of the government office complex. Photo by Samantha Mei Topp.Clouds of tear gas drift through the air on Harcourt Road outside the chief executive’s office. Photo by Samantha Mei Topp.A protester extinguishes tear gas round in Admiralty. Photo by Samantha Mei Topp.A young couple wait for the police response during the occupation of Harcourt Road shortly after water cannons were deployed in Admiralty. Photo by Samantha Mei Topp.Protesters shield themselves against water cannons and tear gas in Admiralty. Photo by Samantha Mei Topp.A protester throws a molotov cocktail after police deployed water cannons outside the chief executive’s office in Admiralty. Photo by Samantha Mei Topp.Protesters spray paint graffiti on a road on Hong Kong Island. Photo by Samantha Mei Topp.Police officers film journalists and protesters gathered in Sham Shui Po. Photo by Vicky Wong.Police stand guard in Sham Shui Po outside the Maple Street Playground. Photo by Vicky Wong.Protester holds up an inflated rubber glove, a reference to the five-fingered salute that signifies “five key demands, not one less,” a common protest slogan. Photo by Vicky Wong.Man throws spirit money into the air while yelling “down with the Chinese Communist Party” on Cheung Sha Wan Road in Sham Shui Po. Photo by Vicky Wong.Spirit money litters the ground on National Day. Photo by Vicky Wong.Protesters march along Cheung Sha Wan Road. Photo by Vicky Wong.Protester holds up five fingers, the gesture used to represent the slogan “five demands, not one less.” Photo by Vicky Wong.A man hands out free bottles of water for protesters on Nathan Road in Kowloon. Photo by Vicky Wong.A man carries his Pomeranian to safety as the protests pass through Yau Ma Tei. Photo by Vicky Wong.Protesters occupy a road in Sham Shui Po. Photo via Coconuts Media.A protester heckles police using a traffic cone as a megaphone in Sham Shui Po. Photo via Coconuts Media.Riot police hold up a warning banner in Sham Shui Po. Photo via Coconuts Media.Protesters burn a flags featuring the communist hammer and sickle at the intersection of Nathan and Gascoigne roads in Jordan. Photo by Vicky Wong.Riot police advance in Sham Shui Po. Photo via Coconuts Media.Riot police carry shotguns used for firing rubber bullets and bean bag rounds in Sham Shui Po. Photo via Coconuts Media.Passersby walk past the damaged facade of the Cheung Sha Wan government officers. Photo via Coconuts Media.The extent of the damage to the front of the Cheung Sha Wan government officers. Photo via Coconuts Media.A fire burns at the entrance of the Cheung Sha Wan Government officers next to the graffitied message “On October 1, celebrate your mom.” Photo by Vicky Wong.Protesters shine laser beams from behind barricades in Sham Shui Po. Photo by Vicky Wong.A protester pours saline solution into a passerby’s eyes after police fired tear gas onto Nathan Road. Photo by Vicky Wong.Riot police on Lai Chi Kok Road after chasing down protesters. Photo by Vicky Wong.
