Police gas Hong Kong protesters

City leaders more forceful in breaking up demonstrations

Riot police launch tear gas into the crowd as thousands of protesters surround the government headquarters in Hong Kong Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014. Hong Kong police used tear gas on Sunday and warned of further measures as they tried to clear thousands of pro-democracy protesters gathered outside government headquarters in a challenge to Beijing over its decision to restrict democratic reforms for the city. (AP Photo/Wally Santana)
Riot police launch tear gas into the crowd as thousands of protesters surround the government headquarters in Hong Kong Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014. Hong Kong police used tear gas on Sunday and warned of further measures as they tried to clear thousands of pro-democracy protesters gathered outside government headquarters in a challenge to Beijing over its decision to restrict democratic reforms for the city. (AP Photo/Wally Santana)

HONG KONG -- Pro-democracy activists, some wearing surgical masks and holding up umbrellas to protect against tear gas, expanded their rallies throughout Hong Kong today, defying calls to disperse in a major pushback against Beijing's decision to limit democratic measures in the Asian financial hub.

Police officers tried to negotiate with protesters camped out on a normally busy highway near the Hong Kong government headquarters that was the scene of tear gas-fueled clashes Sunday night.

An officer with a bullhorn tried to get them to clear the way for the commuters. A protester, using the group's own speaker system, responded by saying that the demonstrators wanted Hong Kong's chief executive Leung Chun-ying to demand a genuine choice for the territory's voters.

"Do something good for Hong Kong. We want real democracy!" he shouted.

Leung tried to reassure the public that rumors the Chinese army might intervene were untrue.

"I hope the public will keep calm. Don't be misled by the rumors. Police will strive to maintain social order, including ensuring smooth traffic and ensuring the public safety," said the Beijing-backed Leung. He added, "When they carry out their duties, they will use their maximum discretion."

Authorities said some schools in areas near the main protest site would be closed, as Leung urged people to go home, obey the law and avoid causing trouble.

"We don't want Hong Kong to be messy," Leung said as he read a statement that was broadcast early today.

After hours of holding protesters at bay, police lobbed canisters of tear gas into the crowd Sunday evening. The searing fumes sent demonstrators fleeing, though many returned to continue their protest. The government said 26 people were taken to hospitals; some were carried away on stretchers.

As the protest dragged past midnight, police began pushing the crowds back with their vans. Meanwhile, some protesters began occupying other downtown areas.

Other protesters pulled back, fearing police might move more aggressively to end the protests, which began with sit-ins more than a week earlier by students calling for Beijing to grant genuine democratic changes to the former British colony.

"It was very cruel for the police to use such harsh violence on protesters who had been completely peaceful," said demonstrator Cecily Lui, a 30-year-old clerk.

So far today, the city's transport department said that besides road closures in districts such as Causeway Bay, Wan Chai and Admiralty -- where the protests have been focused -- main roads have also been blocked by demonstrators in Mong Kok.

"This is a long fight. I hope the blockade will continue tomorrow, so the whole thing will be meaningful," said Edward Yau, 19, a business and law student. "The government has to understand that we have the ability to undo it if they continue to treat us like we are terrorists."

When China took control of Hong Kong from the United Kingdom in 1997, it agreed to a policy of "one country, two systems" that allowed the city to maintain a high degree of control over its affairs and keep civil liberties unseen on the mainland. It also promised that the city's leader would eventually be chosen through "universal suffrage."

Hong Kong's residents have long felt their city stood apart from mainland China because of its guaranteed civil liberties and separate legal and financial systems.

The protests, rare scenes of disorder for the Asian financial hub, are highlighting the authorities' inability to assuage public discontent over Beijing's rejection last month of open nominations for candidates under proposed guidelines for the first-ever elections for Hong Kong's leader, promised for 2017.

Beijing's insistence on using a committee to screen candidates on the basis of their patriotism to China -- similar to the one that currently hand-picks Hong Kong's leaders -- has stoked fears among pro-democracy groups that Hong Kong will never experience genuine democracy.

Students and activists have been camped out since late Friday on streets outside the government complex, near Hong Kong's financial district. The sit-ins have led to confrontations on surrounding streets between police and others blocked from entering the protest zone.

Although students started the rally, leaders of the broader Occupy Central civil disobedience movement joined them, saying they wanted to kick-start a long-threatened sit-in demanding that an election for Hong Kong's top leader be held without Beijing interference.

University and college students said they will continue to boycott classes until officials meet their demands, which include the overhaul of Hong Kong's legislature and the withdrawal of the proposal to screen the election candidates.

Thousands of people breached a police cordon Sunday as they tried to join the sit-in, spilling out onto a busy highway and bringing traffic to a standstill.

Information for this article was contributed by Elaine Kurtenbach, Louise Watt and Joanna Chiu of The Associated Press.

A Section on 09/29/2014

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