Photos show escalating violence in the Hong Kong protests as China celebrates 70 years of communist rule

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Photos show escalating violence in the Hong Kong protests as China celebrates 70 years of communist rule

A pro-democracy protester walks in front of a burning barricade during clashes with police in Wan Chai on October 01, 2019 in Hong Kong, China.

Chris McGath / Getty

A pro-democracy protester walks in front of a burning barricade during clashes with police in Wan Chai on October 01, 2019 in Hong Kong, China.

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  • On October 1, despite a police ban, tens of thousands of protesters filled the streets of Hong Kong, and the demonstrations quickly clashed with police.
  • The day marks 70 years since the People's Republic of China was founded, but protesters in Hong Kong were calling it a "national day of mourning."
  • The demonstrations began in June to fight a bill that would extradite people accused of crimes to China to stand trial, but since then the protests have not relented, and the protesters demands have widened.
  • The violence of the protests is also escalating - a policeman had acid thrown on him and an activist was shot with live rounds.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Tens of thousands of people ignored a police ban and protested in Hong Kong on Tuesday, the day China was celebrating 70 years as the People's Republic.

Protesters, dressed in black, called it a "national day of mourning." Some vandalized buildings, and threw petrol bombs and rocks at the police. The police fought back - one protester was shot by a live round, and is thought to be in critical condition.

It was the largest number of simultaneous protests since June, when the demonstrations began to fight an extradition bill that would have allowed people accused of crimes to be extradited to China to stand trial. Protests have continued over the months and they now have five demands, which include introducing free and fair elections in Hong Kong.

Here's what the day looked like on the ground.

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Hong Kong police issued a city-wide ban against marching for Tuesday, October 2, since it was the 70th anniversary of communist rule in China.

Hong Kong police issued a city-wide ban against marching for Tuesday, October 2, since it was the 70th anniversary of communist rule in China.

Source: NBC News

But from midday on, tens of thousands of protesters flooded the streets of Hong Kong to protest China's grip on the city. They were chanting "Glory to Hong Kong," and "Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our time."

But from midday on, tens of thousands of protesters flooded the streets of Hong Kong to protest China's grip on the city. They were chanting "Glory to Hong Kong," and "Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our time."

Sources: NBC News, Al Jazeera, Time

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Many were dressed entirely in black. For them it was a day to mourn the future of Hong Kong. Along with the dress code, they used umbrellas as shields against the tear gas police threw.

Many were dressed entirely in black. For them it was a day to mourn the future of Hong Kong. Along with the dress code, they used umbrellas as shields against the tear gas police threw.

Source: The Washington Post

Many also wore wore masks to hide their identities.

Many also wore wore masks to hide their identities.
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But police rolled out water cannons to douse protesters in staining blue water in order to ensure they were identifiable.

But police rolled out water cannons to douse protesters in staining blue water in order to ensure they were identifiable.

Source: Washington Post

The protesters were urging China to "return power to the people." This was the most simultaneous protests since people began taking to the streets in June.

The protesters were urging China to "return power to the people." This was the most simultaneous protests since people began taking to the streets in June.

Source: Washington Post

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The protesters have five demands: they want an inquiry into police brutality, for all of those who have been arrested to be released, and for Hong Kong to have more democratic rights. Their first demand was to stop a bill to extradite accused people to China, but the bill's been shelved ...

The protesters have five demands: they want an inquiry into police brutality, for all of those who have been arrested to be released, and for Hong Kong to have more democratic rights. Their first demand was to stop a bill to extradite accused people to China, but the bill's been shelved ...

Source: Business Insider

... and they want Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam to step down. Other than photos of her face on trampled posters, Lam wasn't seen in Hong Kong on the day of the protests. The government confirmed she wasn't in the city, even though she'd invited people to celebrate the day at her home.

... and they want Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam to step down. Other than photos of her face on trampled posters, Lam wasn't seen in Hong Kong on the day of the protests. The government confirmed she wasn't in the city, even though she'd invited people to celebrate the day at her home.

Sources: CNN, The Japan Times

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Across the city, 20 train stations were closed down. Operators feared a repeat of an earlier protest, where police used pepper spray on passengers on a stalled train. Here, protesters are seen vandalizing one of the stations.

Across the city, 20 train stations were closed down. Operators feared a repeat of an earlier protest, where police used pepper spray on passengers on a stalled train. Here, protesters are seen vandalizing one of the stations.

Source: Al Jazeera

A police spokeswoman told local media the police were sad about having to be violent, and did not want anyone to be injured, but they would strictly enforce the law.

A police spokeswoman told local media the police were sad about having to be violent, and did not want anyone to be injured, but they would strictly enforce the law.

Source: Time

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It was the most violent protest to date. In addition to tear spray and physical confrontations, a policeman shot a protester was shot in the chest. In earlier protests there have been rounds fired into the sky, but this is the first known time a protester has been shot.

It was the most violent protest to date. In addition to tear spray and physical confrontations, a policeman shot a protester was shot in the chest. In earlier protests there have been rounds fired into the sky, but this is the first known time a protester has been shot.

Sources: Business Insider, Washington Post

Police also fired tear gas in more than six different spots across the city to slow protesters ...

Police also fired tear gas in more than six different spots across the city to slow protesters ...

Source: The Washington Post

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... and some protesters threw it right back ...

... and some protesters threw it right back ...

... while some others tossed bricks and Molotov cocktails.

... while some others tossed bricks and Molotov cocktails.
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Fires and smoke billowed across Hong Kong, and the protests continued on into the night.

Fires and smoke billowed across Hong Kong, and the protests continued on into the night.

Source: NBC News

Hong Kong authorities said 96 protesters had been arrested and 31 people were in the hospital.

Hong Kong authorities said 96 protesters had been arrested and 31 people were in the hospital.

Source: Time

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King Chan, 57, told The Washington Post the police "are squeezing our necks so we don't breathe the air of freedom."

King Chan, 57, told The Washington Post the police "are squeezing our necks so we don't breathe the air of freedom."

Source: Washington Post

And 1,243 miles to the north, China carried on its celebrations with an impressive hours-long military parade that showcased its military prowess and technology.

And 1,243 miles to the north, China carried on its celebrations with an impressive hours-long military parade that showcased its military prowess and technology.

Sources: Time, Al Jazeera, The Guardian

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China also used the event to unveil a new nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile called the Dongfeng 41.

China also used the event to unveil a new nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile called the Dongfeng 41.

Source: Business Insider

And it was because of the celebration that the protests were so important, 17-year-old Apple told Time. "China is getting more powerful. If China becomes more powerful other countries might experience something like what's happening in Hong Kong now. It's important to come out and stop them," she said.

And it was because of the celebration that the protests were so important, 17-year-old Apple told Time. "China is getting more powerful. If China becomes more powerful other countries might experience something like what's happening in Hong Kong now. It's important to come out and stop them," she said.

Sources: Time, Al Jazeera

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