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Saturday, Feb 22, 2025
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Flash mob protests, vandalism flare up across Hong Kong as police fire tear gas
Hotspots are in Mong Kok, Tseung Kwan O, Tsuen Wan, Kowloon Bay and Tai Po, with protesters resorting to familiar pattern of targeting shops with mainland ties
Stand-offs with police developing in various areas as crowds chant slogans against the force.
Hong Kong demonstrators have staged flash mob protests all over the city on Sunday afternoon as the months-long political unrest enters its 19th week.
They are heeding the calls online to protest at the shopping malls in different districts to voice their anger against the shops and restaurants owned by pro-Beijing businesspeople, alongside the MTR stations as they continued their attack on the city’s railway operator for allegedly aiding police in their clearance operations.
Some have hurled projectiles at the railway tracks of Sha Tin station, vandalised several shops in Tseung Kwan O, set up barricades on key thoroughfares in Mong Kok and Tuen Mun. Heavy police presence could be spotted at various shopping malls and several arrests have been made in Tsuen Wan and Mong Kok.
Follow our live coverage below as the events unfold. Reporting by Simone McCarthy, Elizabeth Cheung, Fiona Sun and Jeffie Lam.
More of the aftermath in Sha Tin mall
At New Town Plaza, one of the several shops vandalised was Best Mart 360. Here are some pictures showing the store interior trashed, with products strewn all over the floor.
5:14PM
Barricades up in Tai Po
A group of black-clad protesters are setting up barricades on Tai Wo Road in Tai Po with metal railings and minibus stop signs. Earlier, the black flag warning for tear gas was raised by police amid a stand-off. Protesters have also opened their umbrellas, bracing for projectiles fired by officers.
5:12PM
More of the aftermath in Sha Tin mall
At New Town Plaza, one of the several shops vandalised was Best Mart 360. Here are some pictures showing the store interior trashed, with products strewn all over the floor.
5:09PM
Police call for 'rioters' to stop
The force has said that protesters have been gathering at multiple locations citywide since this afternoon. Their violent acts escalated soon after, and gangs of masked "rioters" blocked major roads, as well as vandalised shops and public facilities, including MTR stations, according to police. Acts of violence and criminal damage were observed in both Sha Tin and Tsuen Wan.
Police say they have used minimum force to disperse protesters, including the deployment of tear gas. They warn protesters to stop their illegal acts immediately.
5:05PM
Scenes along Nathan Road
Photos by Sam Tsang.
4:54PM
Tuen Mun government complex vandalised
Masked black-clad protesters have broken into the Siu Lun government complex in Tuen Mun, vandalising its entrance. The building was closed but they forced open its shutters.
A Starbucks outlet along Taikoo Wan Road had its glass display spray-painted with vulgarities while inside, protesters have also painted slogans. Photo: Lynn Lee
In New Town Plaza in Sha Tin, protesters have trashed the interior of Starbucks and Simplylife outlets, both under the Maxim's group.
In the same mall, the glass display of a Lenovo store has also been smashed, while a Huawei outlet was broken into and trashed.
4:37PM
Man detained in Tai Koo
A man in white got into a shouting match with police who had been called to Cityplaza. He is surrounded by officers at the junction of Tai Mou Avenue and Tai Koo Wan Road.
He runs off and officers chase him down, pinning him to the ground near the entrance of a multi-storey car park as residents gather and shout at police to get lost. It is unclear why the man was pursued, but posts on social media say he was holding a knife. Officers later escort him away as crowds along the street heckle them.
4:30PM
Tensions flare in Mong Kok
Police have used pepper spray on protesters in Mong Kok as they urge people to leave. A blue flag warning of illegal assembly is raised by officers at the junction of Nathan Road and Dundas Street. One person shouts: "I have done nothing, why would you spray me?"
A middle-aged man is seen being subdued to the ground by police (bottom pic), who also drive reporters away by pointing pepper sprays at them. The man is taken into a police van.
4:26PM
Tear gas fired near heritage museum
At least three rounds of tear gas have been reportedly fired near the Hong Kong Heritage Museum in Sha Tin, as about 100 protesters clash with riot police.
4:11PM
Police on standby in Yau Ma Tei
In Yau Ma Tei, although there are no protesters, about 50 riot officers are standing guard at the junction of Nathan Road and Waterloo Road. Nearby residents heckle police, shouting slurs and slogans against the force.
The strategy used by small groups of protesters in Mong Kok so far has been flash mob-style roadblocks, and then scattering when police arrive.
3:54PM
Entire light rail network shuts down, two stations close
The MTR Corp has announced the suspension of its entire light rail network after tracks at multiple locations were vandalised.
The rail giant has also shut down Kwun Tong station, saying it is for the safety of passengers and staff. At APM, a mall linked to the station, protesters have spray-painted slogans such as "Hongkongers, resist" on the floor.
Sha Tin Wai station has also closed.
3:50PM
Paper cranes in Tsim Sha Tsui
Over in Tsim Sha Tsui, demonstrations have so far been peaceful, with people placing paper cranes on the grass near the promenade. Others set up homemade placards with slogans such as "Liberate Hong Kong; revolution of our times", while another group glues paper cranes to railings along the Avenue of Stars, a popular tourist spot.
3:48PM
Police make arrests in Tai Po, Tuen Mun
Police have arrested several protesters outside Tai Po Mega Mall, while in Tuen Mun, at least two suspects have been detained.
The action in Sha Tin has shifted to a road outside the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, as a group of protesters removes roadside fences to set up a barricade.
3:30PM
MTR closing some mall gates, light rail services suspended
MTR has closed one of its gates at Tseung Kwan O station connecting to Popcorn mall after demonstrators were seen in the area. Dozens of riot police are standing by outside the station.
In Tuen Mun, a group of protesters have smashed surveillance cameras at a light rail station and vandalised facilities there.
Meanwhile, these light rail services are suspended: 761P, 751, 705 and 706.
3:27PM
Tai Koo mall, Starbucks hit by protests
Scores of mostly black-clad protesters are also staging protests in Cityplaza mall in Tai Koo. They have forced open the shutters of Starbucks, operated by the Beijing-friendly Maxim's group in Hong Kong, and spray-painted its walls and tables with profanities.
Annie Wu, the daughter of the group's late founder James Wu, sparked anger among protesters after she spoke up against the movement at a UN meeting earlier.
3:25PM
Protesters scatter in Kowloon Bay
As a police van advances up Choi Ha Road, protesters who have been spray-painting the front of a Bank of China branch in Kowloon Bay run into Choi Hei Road Park for cover. Some have gone into the park toilets to change into civilian wear and discard their masks and signature black outfits, while others run up a flight of stairs to a housing complex.
One protester, a woman in her 20s who does not want to be named, says: "Although what we are doing now is not very efficient, we are not going to give up and stop our fight for democracy.
"The government is trying to use the emergency law to scare people and make the public too scared to go for protests again, but we won’t be scared, we will still come out."
3:17PM
Police issue warning in Tai Po, Sha Tin mall closes
A blue warning flag has been raised in Tai Po as police warn the crowd gathering outside Tai Po Mega Mall that they are participating in an unlawful assembly. More riot officers have arrived on the scene. A Form Four student and middle-aged man were earlier subdued by police.
Meanwhile, Citylink Plaza, a mall above Sha Tin MTR station, is closing.
2:57PM
Flash attacks on shops, MTR disruption
At Telford Plaza in Kowloon Bay, protesters are now running through the mall and conducting flash attacks on targeted shops. They have smashed the display at China Mobile, which swiftly closed, as well as surrounded a Genki Sushi outlet and spray painted a temporary construction wall outside the restaurant.
Over in Sha Tin, the MTR Corporation has lowered it gates to one entrance after items were reportedly thrown on the rails. The station is not yet officially closed.
Hong Kong demonstrators have staged flash mob protests all over the city on Sunday afternoon as the months-long political unrest enters its 19th week.
They are heeding the calls online to protest at the shopping malls in different districts to voice their anger against the shops and restaurants owned by pro-Beijing businesspeople, alongside the MTR stations as they continued their attack on the city’s railway operator for allegedly aiding police in their clearance operations.
Some have hurled projectiles at the railway tracks of Sha Tin station, vandalised several shops in Tseung Kwan O, set up barricades on key thoroughfares in Mong Kok and Tuen Mun. Heavy police presence could be spotted at various shopping malls and several arrests have been made in Tsuen Wan and Mong Kok.
Follow our live coverage below as the events unfold. Reporting by Simone McCarthy, Elizabeth Cheung, Fiona Sun and Jeffie Lam.
More of the aftermath in Sha Tin mall
At New Town Plaza, one of the several shops vandalised was Best Mart 360. Here are some pictures showing the store interior trashed, with products strewn all over the floor.
5:14PM
Barricades up in Tai Po
A group of black-clad protesters are setting up barricades on Tai Wo Road in Tai Po with metal railings and minibus stop signs. Earlier, the black flag warning for tear gas was raised by police amid a stand-off. Protesters have also opened their umbrellas, bracing for projectiles fired by officers.
5:12PM
More of the aftermath in Sha Tin mall
At New Town Plaza, one of the several shops vandalised was Best Mart 360. Here are some pictures showing the store interior trashed, with products strewn all over the floor.
5:09PM
Police call for 'rioters' to stop
The force has said that protesters have been gathering at multiple locations citywide since this afternoon. Their violent acts escalated soon after, and gangs of masked "rioters" blocked major roads, as well as vandalised shops and public facilities, including MTR stations, according to police. Acts of violence and criminal damage were observed in both Sha Tin and Tsuen Wan.
Police say they have used minimum force to disperse protesters, including the deployment of tear gas. They warn protesters to stop their illegal acts immediately.
5:05PM
Scenes along Nathan Road
Photos by Sam Tsang.
4:54PM
Tuen Mun government complex vandalised
Masked black-clad protesters have broken into the Siu Lun government complex in Tuen Mun, vandalising its entrance. The building was closed but they forced open its shutters.
A Starbucks outlet along Taikoo Wan Road had its glass display spray-painted with vulgarities while inside, protesters have also painted slogans. Photo: Lynn Lee
In New Town Plaza in Sha Tin, protesters have trashed the interior of Starbucks and Simplylife outlets, both under the Maxim's group.
In the same mall, the glass display of a Lenovo store has also been smashed, while a Huawei outlet was broken into and trashed.
4:37PM
Man detained in Tai Koo
A man in white got into a shouting match with police who had been called to Cityplaza. He is surrounded by officers at the junction of Tai Mou Avenue and Tai Koo Wan Road.
He runs off and officers chase him down, pinning him to the ground near the entrance of a multi-storey car park as residents gather and shout at police to get lost. It is unclear why the man was pursued, but posts on social media say he was holding a knife. Officers later escort him away as crowds along the street heckle them.
4:30PM
Tensions flare in Mong Kok
Police have used pepper spray on protesters in Mong Kok as they urge people to leave. A blue flag warning of illegal assembly is raised by officers at the junction of Nathan Road and Dundas Street. One person shouts: "I have done nothing, why would you spray me?"
A middle-aged man is seen being subdued to the ground by police (bottom pic), who also drive reporters away by pointing pepper sprays at them. The man is taken into a police van.
4:26PM
Tear gas fired near heritage museum
At least three rounds of tear gas have been reportedly fired near the Hong Kong Heritage Museum in Sha Tin, as about 100 protesters clash with riot police.
4:11PM
Police on standby in Yau Ma Tei
In Yau Ma Tei, although there are no protesters, about 50 riot officers are standing guard at the junction of Nathan Road and Waterloo Road. Nearby residents heckle police, shouting slurs and slogans against the force.
The strategy used by small groups of protesters in Mong Kok so far has been flash mob-style roadblocks, and then scattering when police arrive.
3:54PM
Entire light rail network shuts down, two stations close
The MTR Corp has announced the suspension of its entire light rail network after tracks at multiple locations were vandalised.
The rail giant has also shut down Kwun Tong station, saying it is for the safety of passengers and staff. At APM, a mall linked to the station, protesters have spray-painted slogans such as "Hongkongers, resist" on the floor.
Sha Tin Wai station has also closed.
3:50PM
Paper cranes in Tsim Sha Tsui
Over in Tsim Sha Tsui, demonstrations have so far been peaceful, with people placing paper cranes on the grass near the promenade. Others set up homemade placards with slogans such as "Liberate Hong Kong; revolution of our times", while another group glues paper cranes to railings along the Avenue of Stars, a popular tourist spot.
3:48PM
Police make arrests in Tai Po, Tuen Mun
Police have arrested several protesters outside Tai Po Mega Mall, while in Tuen Mun, at least two suspects have been detained.
The action in Sha Tin has shifted to a road outside the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, as a group of protesters removes roadside fences to set up a barricade.
3:30PM
MTR closing some mall gates, light rail services suspended
MTR has closed one of its gates at Tseung Kwan O station connecting to Popcorn mall after demonstrators were seen in the area. Dozens of riot police are standing by outside the station.
In Tuen Mun, a group of protesters have smashed surveillance cameras at a light rail station and vandalised facilities there.
Meanwhile, these light rail services are suspended: 761P, 751, 705 and 706.
3:27PM
Tai Koo mall, Starbucks hit by protests
Scores of mostly black-clad protesters are also staging protests in Cityplaza mall in Tai Koo. They have forced open the shutters of Starbucks, operated by the Beijing-friendly Maxim's group in Hong Kong, and spray-painted its walls and tables with profanities.
Annie Wu, the daughter of the group's late founder James Wu, sparked anger among protesters after she spoke up against the movement at a UN meeting earlier.
3:25PM
Protesters scatter in Kowloon Bay
As a police van advances up Choi Ha Road, protesters who have been spray-painting the front of a Bank of China branch in Kowloon Bay run into Choi Hei Road Park for cover. Some have gone into the park toilets to change into civilian wear and discard their masks and signature black outfits, while others run up a flight of stairs to a housing complex.
One protester, a woman in her 20s who does not want to be named, says: "Although what we are doing now is not very efficient, we are not going to give up and stop our fight for democracy.
"The government is trying to use the emergency law to scare people and make the public too scared to go for protests again, but we won’t be scared, we will still come out."
3:17PM
Police issue warning in Tai Po, Sha Tin mall closes
A blue warning flag has been raised in Tai Po as police warn the crowd gathering outside Tai Po Mega Mall that they are participating in an unlawful assembly. More riot officers have arrived on the scene. A Form Four student and middle-aged man were earlier subdued by police.
Meanwhile, Citylink Plaza, a mall above Sha Tin MTR station, is closing.
2:57PM
Flash attacks on shops, MTR disruption
At Telford Plaza in Kowloon Bay, protesters are now running through the mall and conducting flash attacks on targeted shops. They have smashed the display at China Mobile, which swiftly closed, as well as surrounded a Genki Sushi outlet and spray painted a temporary construction wall outside the restaurant.
Over in Sha Tin, the MTR Corporation has lowered it gates to one entrance after items were reportedly thrown on the rails. The station is not yet officially closed.
