Hong Kong Continues to Burn

Tens of thousands out to defy the anti-mask law for a second day in a row

Looks like Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor's plan of enacting the anti-mask law had the opposite effect she hoped of de-escalating the violence -- or maybe that's what she wanted all along?

While the protesters are out on the streets this weekend, demonstrating their anger against the anti-mask law that was in place at midnight on October 5, their violent acts are giving the Hong Kong government more ammunition to possibly enforce more emergency laws.

Two creative masks featuring Winnie the Pooh...

There is so much evidence, from MTR stations like Causeway Bay and Mongkok that were trashed, set fire or flooded with water. It looks like tomorrow will be another challenging day for people to get around the city again despite yesterday's complete shutdown.

Meanwhile Chinese businesses were also the target of protesters' ire, banks like ICBC and China Construction Bank, as well as Xiaomi and China Travel Service. And bricks were pulled up from sidewalks, while traffic lights were also smashed.

And a first ever -- People's Liberation soldiers in fatigues were on the rooftop of their barracks in Kowloon Tong and shouted warnings at the protesters who shouted back, "Vindicate June 4!"

Very testy on both sides. 

A RTHK reporter (right) suffered burns on his face

But more seriously, reporters suffered burns from a petrol bomb thrown in Causeway Bay tonight, while another was dragged by riot police and detained. It's not easy to report on what is going on without getting into some kind of trouble.

Meanwhile in Sham Shui Po, a taxi driver drove into a group of protesters, the motivation unclear at this stage. A group of angry protesters dragged him out and beat him while his vehicle was trashed. He was later rescued by firefighters, but no police stepped in. It was sheer lawlessness.

These scenes are completely the opposite of what happened earlier in the afternoon at 2pm, when two peaceful protest marches happened simultaneously, one in Causeway Bay to Central, the other from Tsim Sha Tsui to Mongkok.

Tens of thousands gathered in both Causeway Bay and Tsim Sha Tsui, many of them wearing masks to defy the anti-mask law and perhaps it was a good thing that it was raining so the protesters covered their heads with umbrellas.

A taxi driver who was beaten was treated by firefighters

One of the protesters on Hong Kong island surnamed Chan was 61-years-old and said this summer was his first time joining the protests, and that the mask ban made the situation more urgent.

"With the mask ban, the government is testing the waters, if no one reacts to this, then they can use the emergency ordinance to do anything, including interfering with the coming district elections. If the government can do anything, then Hong Kong is finished," he says.

However, the government would beg to differ. Just before 11pm, the government released a statement describing the protesters as "rioters" and accusing them of "lawlessness and violent acts", which include blocking roads, vandalizing public facilities, banks and stores, hurling petrol bombs at police officers and assaulting other citizens.

Mongkok MTR station was completely flooded tonight

The spokesman says the violence over the past few days have plunged Hong Kong into fear and chaos, affecting public services and made citizens reluctant to go out.

That may be true, but many residents still believe the government is to blame for starting this chaotic mess.

The government may be using the law as a weapon, but in reality people still quietly support the protesters even though they don't condone the violence.

So where is the way out, Carrie? You have escalated the violence. Protesters are only reacting to your anti-mask law. How are you going to de-escalate the situation? With more emergency laws?

The stalemate continues.