Hong Kong police shoot protester as activists block streets

Hong Kong is now a police state where the police are allowed to lose live ammunition on unarmed citizens and they have obviously been directed by higher officials to abide by a shoot to kill policy.

The murderer (I I refuse to call him a police officer) Kwan Kar Wing, police number #A856, is most likely already safely on his way to Bejing.

use live ammunition*

this will only escalate things. the question is where will this all lead and when will it end? I fear the answer to these questions

What is about to play out in HK is possible in any country because no country's policeFORCE is a democratic institution. The guard dogs of the state are on principle beholden to only a few men (and fewer women). They are allowed to kill with impunity. This is a sore point in our "democracies" that needs to be attended to if true democracy is to be ever realized.

@KariHaruka

As the person is not dead, it can hardly be described as a shoot to kill policy. On the whole the police appear to be showing remarkable restraint.

There have been a lot more injuries in the French demonstrations, does that make France a police state too?

@Hello Kitty 321

The police officer shot him in the chest area at close range with live ammunition. I've served in the armed forces and that is a kill zone that you aim for in a shoot to kill policy.

And I implore you to check more than just what is being shown in the media. You need to see the CCTV and phone footage that is being uploaded onto SNS on a daily basis. Because the behaviour of the police has been anything but restrained. (and I use the term police very lightly considering the visual evidence of PLA involvement)

Hello Kitty 321Today 12:45 pm JST

KariHaruka

There have been a lot more injuries in the French demonstrations, does that make France a police state too?

I don't think any police officer has shot with live round at close range a protester during the yellow vest movement.

Rather similar to the Boston Massacre way back in 1770.

These shootings by the police against the Hong Kong protesters, just as the British soldiers fired upon the colonists, will have the effect of strengthening the justification & resolve of the protesters to see this thing through to a successful end.

Free Hong Kong! Ask your representative why they sold you out to support Communist China

Ask your representative why they sold you out to support Communist China

This is not communism, though. This is a brutal, authoritarian suppression of the people of Hong Kong.

Interesting no mention anywhere of a protester randomly stabbing a politician on the street which happened not too long ago.

Both sides are hardly saints, and with the way the protesters are acting with extreme violence in destroying buildings and stabbing/assaulting others, I would not fault police for defending themselves.

The people of Hong Kong never wanted communism, but it's always forced upon them violently! The pro-communist Hong Kong riots in the 60s which were sponsored by the CCP were also marked by nonstop bombings and murders organized by the communist rioters when it was quickly realized that the majority of the population had no interest in overthrowing the regime, but even without the people supporting them they decided to just resort to murder to intimidate people into joining and killing outspoken critics like Lam Bun. It's like a child throwing a temper tantrum when they don't get their way.

The protesters are heroes. Sadly, they have to use violent tactics to defend themselves from the cops. They managed to chase them off at Tung Chung.

If you brutalize a people, repeatedly, there's only so much sitting down protests can achieve.

What do they expect? 6 months of this and anyone would go crazy. The police are overworked and constantly on edge and feeling pressured. You try doing police duties in this kind of chaos for 6 months straight while being insulted and force to clear up obstacles every single day. Any tolerance and patience has long been throw out of the window. They now don't even care about the press anymore and just target anyone who get in their way of doing their duties. Now things is just gonna get more violent on both side the longer this drag out. Winter is coming. Really hope things would settle down already.

Hong Kong does NOT want to be like the Uighurs or the Tibetans, to be meekly and quietly 'reeducated'.

China should understand this and work with them, not against them. This is the only sensible solution.

Truth of the matter is the police has immunity, and no amount of media, or evidence of brutality will do anything.

Just think how much better Hong Kong could be if the British hadn't given it back to China. Same with South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Just think how much better Hong Kong could be if the British hadn't given it back to China. Same with South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Yeah, it's up to the people of HK & they're showing that they don't much care for their latest overlords.

Post-colonialism, it's always a struggle for the country to get back on its feet after the damage (often including barbarism on the part of the colonizers) but we get there in the end.

The British empire is extinct, thank goodness.

I have to agree with the police in this one. Clearly the protestor are aiming for the gun on his belt. Don't attack any police with a gun if you don't want to be shot at. Period

https://youtu.be/N-zINR8YZHo

Please watch the video before slamming the police and everything. The guy is no even dead and you labelled the police as a murderer? Shame on you all

The cop shot him in the chest at almost point blank range, so this is shoot to kill.

Shame on you all

Shame on those who support the killing of innocents.

Shame on those who are so radicalized by their government that they cannot see truth for what it is.

Shame on those who oppose the right of people to express themselves.

Shameful. Shooting an unarmed teenager. The HK Police are simply puppets for their violent and oppressive master, Communist PRC.

EVERYONE who supports the shooting of unarmed protesters, fighting for freedom against evil communism, is clearly a Communist sympathizer.

Interesting no mention anywhere of a protester randomly stabbing a politician on the street which happened not too long ago.

Bevause there was an article about it the other day.

Shameful. Shooting an unarmed teenager. The HK Police are simply puppets for their violent and oppressive master, Communist PRC.

China's land. China's laws. China's right. Or do you only apply this "logic" to defend Japan acting repugnantly?

The Czechs freed themselves from Socialism in 1989 in the Velvet revolution by giving flowers to the police officers.

Try doing that in your country, Russia, and they'll give you bullets in return.

The Czechs are peaceful people, unlike most others.

What is about to play out in HK is possible in any country because no country's policeFORCE is a democratic institution. The guard dogs of the state are on principle beholden to only a few men (and fewer women). They are allowed to kill with impunity. This is a sore point in our "democracies" that needs to be attended to if true democracy is to be ever realized.

In your country maybe... our police aren't armed except at airports, sensitive installations and London city centre.

As far as HK goes, there are clearly orders coming from Beijing to gradually crank up the aggressive stance of the police.

It is ramping up towards a military intervention, which the dictators in Peking try to avoid but maybe can not.

Nandakamanda:

Hong Kong does NOT want to be like the Uighurs or the Tibetans, to be meekly and quietly 'reeducated'.

Among clear-minded people, there was never any doubt that it would, of course. However, China signed a contract that clearly states that HK was going to maintain its independent political and legal system until 2047. Clearly, Peking is not honoring this written contract.

Please tell us how you can have normal trade relations with a country that blatantly violates written contracts?

The Czechs freed themselves from Socialism in 1989 in the Velvet revolution by giving flowers to the police officers.

That was a completely different situation, against a decrepit USSR and a tired Czech communist government. The mood was different, and it was clear that the Iron Curtain days were ending.

Here they are fighting against a newly ascendant and aggressive China CCP. A better comparison would be when the Czechs stood up against tyranny in 1968, and Russia sent in tanks.

I agree that going for the cop's gun, as this guy did, is like asking to be shot. A lot of the things the protestors are doing is over the top. But they are in a virtually unwinnable battle with a ruthless CCP. Flowers won't do it.

The PLA are already in HK, in HK police uniform. This is why they are so brutal, they have no care for HK people. I think the protestors are trying to obtain their own guns, and seeing today's incidents you can see why. Things are going to get much worse shortly.

EVERYONE who supports the shooting of unarmed protesters, fighting for freedom against evil communism, is clearly a Communist sympathizer.

Communism, in itself, is not evil. Rather, what has been done in its name by totalitarian states and dictators, is despicable.

I think the protesters are showing remarkable restraint, all things considered.

A pro Beijing supporter was sprayed with inflammable liquid and set on fire.

Unfortunately, fighting for freedom will always involve involve violence. I do not condone what was done to this person.

A pro Beijing supporter was sprayed with inflammable liquid and set on fire.

No violence, whatever side it might be from, is justifiable.

No violence, whatever side it might be from, is justifiable.

Should protesters allow themselves to be beaten and shot, though?

Obviously, this particular incident is not going to help matters and will be ammunition for the Beijing crew to push things through... but when it comes to self-defence, against brutality, I think it's a fair response to stand up for yourself.

Communism, in itself, is not evil.

But a failed system.

Rather, what has been done in its name by totalitarian states and dictators, is despicable.

I think the protesters are showing remarkable restraint, all things considered.

I root for the protesters as well, but this is rapidly getting out of hand.

But a failed system.

Much like capitalism.

I root for the protesters as well, but this is rapidly getting out of hand.

That's what happens. Was the war between the 13 colonies and Britain won by peaceful methods and non-violence?

In an ideal world, this would be settled by dialogue, mediation and the use of violence would be a last resort. But this is not an ideal world, and these are not normal times we're living in.

Much like capitalism.

I would like to see Silicon Valley, upper mobility and prosperity and financial independence and highest quality of life flourish under communism.

That's what happens. Was the war between the 13 colonies and Britain won by peaceful methods and non-violence?

Different time, different century, different country and different weapons.

In an ideal world, this would be settled by dialogue, mediation and the use of violence would be a last resort. But this is not an ideal world, and these are not normal times we're living in

Yup.

I would like to see Silicon Valley, upper mobility and prosperity and financial independence and highest quality of life flourish under communism.

With the actual tenets of communism in place, we can all prosper and help our fellow people. But, inherent greed, materialism and power grabs tend to get in the way.

The actions of Beijing and Beijing sympathisers are not communist and are not helping anyone. Their tactics are those of terror, designed to keep ordinary people in their place.

The Chinese dictatorship is not interested in dialogue.

Evidently. Which is resulting in these kind of scenes, unfortunately.

The riots in Hong Kong, Bolivia, Chile, Lebanon and Iraq all seem to be feeding off each other's news screens, perhaps a new phenomenon?

 The rail operator, MTR, suspended service on several lines, and public broadcaster RTHK reported that a fire had been set inside a train at Kwai Fong station.

Wow! I was just there yesterday in Hong Kong over the weekend for a conference and was at a hotel right near Kwai Fong station and took the MTR around and did not see ONE single protester, and saw only ONE cop exiting from one van. Amazing how one day can bring some change. I was actually disappointed, wanted to show some solidarity with them.

1967 Hong Kong demonstrations against British Colonial Rule, 51 deaths.

Hong Kong wants to be free and has been for a long time. Why won’t the US help?

Not even in 68 did the Czechs ever resort to covering their faces, carrying metal bars and definitely not smashing shop windows.

well maybe there wasn't any face recognition cameras installed in Czechoslovakia back then, just a thought...

Did the guys defending the police also saw the video of the police guy charging people on his motorbike over and over again ? How do you defend this one ?

With the actual tenets of communism in place, we can all prosper and help our fellow people. But, inherent greed, materialism and power grabs tend to get in the way.

That's like saying perpetual motion would work, but inherent gravity and friction get in the way.

If you could eliminate greed, materialism and power grabs, we wouldn't need any kind of ism, much less communism.

Chinese shooting another Chinese - not good for China.

Protesters, ask yourself: what would Ghandi do? What would MLK do? You don't put out a fire with more fire, you put it out with water. Violence begets violence.

Hong Kong wants to be free and has been for a long time. Why won’t the US help?

US provides moral support, but won't risk war with China. Trump is unwilling to risk American lives and making China look bad is helpful to US interests world-wide.

Some things must be handled by the people who live in a place. AFTER they are the clear winner, have open elections, and all Pro-CCP leaders are gone, only then can America show any real support.

Anyone else notice that Morales in Boliva has stepped down?

If Lam were a Hong Kong patriot, she would have stepped down in July.

TheFu:

Some leaders don't know when to resign...even those undergoing impeachment.

With the actual tenets of communism in place, we can all prosper and help our fellow people.

But that will never happen.

But, inherent greed, materialism and power grabs tend to get in the way.

Reality vs. a make believe workers paradise built on false equality.

The actions of Beijing and Beijing sympathisers are not communist and are not helping anyone. Their tactics are those of terror, designed to keep ordinary people in their place.

Authoritative which harbor communist traits.

The cop with the gun suddenly turned ultra violent, grabbing another protestor round the neck (as a shield?) and menacingly pointing his gun and then using it-very strange behavior...

Justified.

Watch the full video.

Communist authoritarian government, not justified. But in that instance, the police officer was justified.

How so justified?

He didn’t fire a warning shot nor give a warning,on an unarmed protester-why not?

The protestor who was shot wasn't armed.

When you're a police officer overpowered by unarmed individuals who are actively trying to get your firearm out of your hands and take it from you, if you don't shoot, they most certainly soon WILL be armed.

Again, no love for the central government in Beijing, but these cops are justified in some of these shootings.

Play stupid games with the police, you win stupid prizes.

Sure is a whole lot of victim blaming going on here.

Sure, it's the protestor's fault for getting shot because why is he out on the street protesting oppression? He should just adopt the Chinese government's party line and be a good little comrade and everyone would be safe and happy, right?

Disgusting.

China sucks. spread the word.

The 'victim' was advancing toward the police officer and trying to grab his gun away from him.

I don't think this shooting will help the cause for Hong Kong to maintain One Country, Two Systems.

I find these debates fascinating, especially on forms abroad in USA or Japan. The only people defending police shooting teenagers and the other numerous crimes by the CCP are Chinese living abroad. They also don't like their government and the overall environment in China, otherwise they would live in China. Yet they defend the practices of the motherland and defend shootings of teenagers. It's a shame, to be brainwashed tho the point where you think its ok to put others in concentration camps, shoot teenagers, and control information to the public. I feel pity for these individuals

Some leaders don't know when to resign...even those undergoing impeachment.

What, exactly, is the official process to remove CCP-puppets from Hong Kong leadership roles BEFORE the end of term?

Remember, 5 elected representatives were prevented from being seated because the CCP didn't like their oath of office:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/14/hong-kong-pro-democracy-legislators-disqualified-parliament

The Chinese government declared those wishing to hold public office must “sincerely and solemnly” declare allegiance to China. Lawmakers are required to swear allegiance to the “the Hong Kong special administrative region of the People’s Republic of China”.

In Hong Kong, there is a tradition of using this oath as a time to "add small acts of defiance."

The Czechs freed themselves from Socialism in 1989 in the Velvet revolution by giving flowers to the police officers.

Nobody wore masks, nobody carried metal bars and nobody interfered with police officers who were carrying out their duties.

The otherwise tyrannical socialist government gave up in the face of purely peaceful protestors.

That's how its done, not by smashing windows.

*burningbush 100 percent agree. Great comment. Non violence is the only way to rise above and the strategies of the hard core protesters are unfortunately killing their own cause. The police are exhausted, confused, panic stricken and on edge. And you expect them to act in a calm, collected, civil manner? Just doesn’t work that way, human nature doesn’t work that way. **

Hong Kong is not the US!

Chalk and cheese...

There are rules in every country before the use of deadly force is warranted. In this case in seeing the video slowly frame by frame the office took it upon the orders he was provided from higher up and carried them out without any remorse.

China sucks. spread the word

The Chinese regime sucks. China is beautiful and those who don't shill for the regime are wonderful people.

Those who do - shame on you.

The protesters deserve all the support they can get.

This is not communism, though

Yes, it is. Communism does not come from the ballot box but at the end of a gun barrel.

The otherwise tyrannical socialist government gave up in the face of purely peaceful protestors.

That’s not how China does it - Tiananmen Square is their way of achieving a peaceful and harmonious nation. Go along with one party rule and stay politically pure and you are golden. Do otherwise and you risk being slaughtered by the People’s Army.

stormcrowNov. 11 01:43 pm JSTRather similar to the Boston Massacre way back in 1770.

These shootings by the police against the Hong Kong protesters, just as the British soldiers fired upon the colonists, will have the effect of strengthening the justification & resolve of the protesters to see this thing through to a successful end.

Toasted HereticToday 09:53 am JSTChina sucks. spread the word

The Chinese regime sucks. China is beautiful and those who don't shill for the regime are wonderful people.

Those who do - shame on you.

The protesters deserve all the support they can get.

This is a 'Sunday Bloody Sunday' for Hong Kong. The Chinese regime is making up excuses to intervene in this, and yes it sucks! The HKers have made it clear - they are HKers, not Chinese. They are freedom fighters, not terrorists or riff-raff.

In the video, that protestor who got shot point-blank in the stomach was clearly unarmed

That police reaction is not proportional

The police actions was totally legitiamate and should encouraging other police officers to follow! That black clad masked person has an hostile attitude and he attempt to grab the police officers' revolver! Thatw as an extreme dangerous actions and shouldn't be tolerated! No country's police force allowing a hostile person to grab a police gun! Good Job, Mr Officer !

Don't encourage police officers to be trigger-happy like in the US

Stop throwing Molotov cocktails at the police.

Give Hong Kongers the right to self determination then!!!