Riot Police Lay Siege to Hong Kong University Occupied by Protesters

Alan Taylor
November 18, 2019
31 Photos
In Focus

Five months into a pro-democracy protest movement in Hong Kong, some of the most violent clashes so far took place this past weekend, as riot police stormed the campus of a university where protesters had barricaded themselves. Hundreds of demonstrators had occupied Hong Kong Polytechnic University and prepared for a siege. Later, as some attempted to leave the campus, they found themselves trapped by police cordons and tear gas. Last night, police moved in with more tear gas, water cannons, and batons after days of confrontations in and around the campus, arresting many as they attempted to flee. The protests began as a reaction to a controversial extradition bill, but have evolved into broader demands for democracy and investigations into police brutality, challenging Beijing’s authority.

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Police in riot gear move through a cloud of tear gas as they detain a protester at Hong Kong Polytechnic University, in Hong Kong, on November 18, 2019. #

Ng Han Guan / AP

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A man walks through bricks placed on a barricaded street outside Hong Kong Polytechnic University, in Hong Kong, on November 15, 2019. #

Isaac Lawrence / AFP / Getty

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Umbrellas are placed over petrol bombs at Hong Kong Polytechnic University on November 15, 2019. #

Philip Fong / AFP / Getty

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Protesters race with bows as they practice running away from riot police on the roof of a bus shelter near the Cross Harbour Tunnel, which was blocked after demonstrators occupied the nearby Hong Kong Polytechnic University, on November 15, 2019. #

Thomas Peter / Reuters

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A protester poses for a photo at Hong Kong Polytechnic University, in Hong Kong, on November 16, 2019. #

Adnan Abidi / Reuters

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Protesters clash with police as police fire tear gas at them at Hong Kong Polytechnic University on November 17, 2019. #

Anthony Kwan / Getty

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Police advance during a confrontation with protesters at Hong Kong Polytechnic University on November 17, 2019. #

Achmad Ibrahim / AP

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A police vehicle sprays water during confrontations at Hong Kong Polytechnic University on November 17, 2019. #

Miguel Candela Poblacion / Anadolu Agency / Getty

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Protesters are sprayed with blue liquid from a water cannon on November 17, 2019. #

Thomas Peter / Reuters

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A protester prepares to fire an arrow during a confrontation with police at Hong Kong Polytechnic University on November 17, 2019. #

Kin Cheung / AP

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A riot-police officer takes aim during clashes with protesters on November 17, 2019. #

Athit Perawongmetha / Reuters

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Protesters prepare Molotov cocktails during clashes with police, outside Hong Kong Polytechnic University on November 17, 2019. #

Athit Perawongmetha / Reuters

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A police personnel vehicle is on fire as protesters and police clash on a bridge at Hong Kong Polytechnic University on November 17, 2019. #

Anthony Kwan / Getty

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A police vehicle burns after being hit with Molotov cocktails, as protesters clash with police in Hong Kong on November 17, 2019. #

Athit Perawongmetha / Reuters

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A fire is seen at the main entrance of Hong Kong Polytechnic University on November 18, 2019. #

Anthony Kwan / Getty

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A protester attempts to extinguish a fire at the entrance of Hong Kong Polytechnic University on November 18, 2019. #

Anthony Kwan / Getty

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Protesters are sprayed with water from water cannons on November 18, 2019. #

Tyrone Siu / Reuters

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Protesters hold British and American flags and a sign reading "Save Us" as they stand near Hong Kong Polytechnic University after police gave protesters an ultimatum to leave the campus early Monday, November 18, 2019. #

Kin Cheung / AP

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Riot police detain a protester outside of Hong Kong Polytechnic University as police storm the campus early Monday, November 18, 2019. #

Kin Cheung / AP

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Protesters are escorted by police off campus on November 18, 2019. #

Thomas Peter / Reuters

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Police detain protesters who attempted to leave the campus of Hong Kong Polytechnic University during clashes on November 18, 2019. #

Tyrone Siu / Reuters

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Police fire tear gas at Hong Kong Polytechnic University on November 18, 2019. #

Athit Perawongmetha / Reuters

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Tear gas surrounds protesters as they attempt to escape the campus of Hong Kong Polytechnic University on November 18, 2019. #

Anthony Wallace / AFP / Getty

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Police detain protesters after they attempted to escape the campus in the Hung Hom district of Hong Kong on November 18, 2019. #

Anthony Wallace / AFP / Getty

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Protesters flee the campus by climbing over a fence on November 18, 2019. #

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A protester is detained by riot police on November 18, 2019. #

Thomas Peter / Reuters

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A protester is detained by police after he tried to escape from campus on November 18, 2019. #

Anthony Kwan / Getty

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Protesters stand on the steps of Hong Kong Polytechnic University on November 18, 2019. #

Achmad Ibrahim / AP

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A Hong Kong police officer prepares to fire tear gas on November 18, 2019. #

Achmad Ibrahim / AP

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A protester lowers himself down from a bridge to a highway to escape from the campus of Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and from police, on November 18, 2019. #

Ye Aung Thu / AFP / Getty

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A protester lowers herself down a rope from a bridge to a highway to escape from Hong Kong Polytechnic University on November 18, 2019. Dozens of protesters fled a besieged university campus on November 18 by lowering themselves on a rope from a footbridge to a highway, AFP video showed. Once on the road, they were seen being picked up by waiting motorcyclists. #

Anthony Wallace / AFP / Getty

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