Hong Kong police were trying to clear out Occupy Central protesters in Mong Kok late Wednesday, Nov. 5.
At about 10 p.m. HKT (9 a.m. EST), police were spotted massing at the Mong Kok protest site.
The police were probably there to keep an eye on the protesters who were holding a Million Mask March to commemorate Nov. 5, Guy Fawkes day.
MT @SocRECorg : Anonymous marchers en masse in Admiralty now.#UmbrellaMovement pic.twitter.com/eMD5OQwt7I
— ChrisDerps (@ChrisDerps) November 5, 2014
Donning “V for Vendetta” Guy Fawkes masks and holding mini “Lion Rock” banners with the words “I want genuine universal suffrage” written on them, the protesters carried out a “Million Masks March” under the watchful gaze of the Hong Kong police.
Seemingly without warning, the police moved in on the student protesters on Argyle Street at about 12 a.m. HKT (11 a.m. EST), Nov. 6.
@Passiontimes : Mass of police arrive at #occupymongkok crossroad after Anonymous march. #UmbrellaMovement pic.twitter.com/ZTuRwDzfxB
— ChrisDerps (@ChrisDerps) November 5, 2014
The police move on mong kok this fine evening couldnt have been more predictable. Argyle was unguarded and quickly fell. #Occupyhk
— matthew robertson (@mprobertson) November 5, 2014
Stand off in mong kok right now. #UmbrellaMovement #OccupyHK #OccupyCentral pic.twitter.com/3jDLukvL7c
— Benjamin Chasteen (@Ben_Chasteen) November 5, 2014
There were also a number of unconfirmed reports about police making arrests.
Somebody was arrested, told by rooftop citizens #urhk #遮打革命 #occupyhk #umbrellarevolution #occupymk pic.twitter.com/74sU6Y6DVD
— Timothy Choi (@tyteen4a03) November 5, 2014
MORE: WATCH: More Than 10 Hong Kong Police Violently Nab Protester in Mong Kok on Nov. 6
Epoch Times photographer Ben Chasteen says that the police were rather tense to begin with due to the “Millions Mask March.”
The standoff was sparked after a photographer’s flash went off in Mong Kok. Policemen pulled the photographer over and arrested him, which then agitated the masked crowd.
After some shouting, things escalated into yet another police-protester confrontation.
See below for the live blog. All times are in Hong Kong Time, which is 11 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time.
Updates to follow, check back shortly for the latest on the ground in Mong Kok.
Nov. 6
3:00 — 6:00 a.m.
1:00 a.m. — 3:00 a.m.
Protester pulled back by others when pushing police cordon. Police draw back. #umhk https://t.co/sbTCYPb4cP
— Bastien 偉忠 Wai-Chung (@BWaiC) November 5, 2014
Mong Kok. Everyone pushing. Flags out. #umhk https://t.co/iA0jxvXgZu
— Bastien 偉忠 Wai-Chung (@BWaiC) November 5, 2014
Arrests https://t.co/fSyD4xqlb4
— Bastien 偉忠 Wai-Chung (@BWaiC) November 5, 2014
Crowds swell. Pushing arrests. Helmets stomped on by police. #umhk https://t.co/B4ufaoJ3Nx
— Bastien 偉忠 Wai-Chung (@BWaiC) November 5, 2014
12:00 a.m. — 1:00 a.m.
Nov. 5
11:00 — 12:00 a.m.
