Protesters cleared out of Hong Kong tunnel

Associated Press

HONG KONG

Hundreds of Hong Kong police officers moved in early today to clear pro-democracy protesters out of a tunnel outside the city government headquarters, clashing with protesters in the worst violence since the demonstrations began more than two weeks ago.

Officers, many of them in riot gear and wielding pepper spray, pushed back the crowd and tore down barricades and removed concrete slabs the protesters used as road blocks around the underpass.

The operation came hours after a large group of protesters blockaded the tunnel, expanding their protest zone after being cleared out of some other streets. The protesters outnumbered the police officers, who later returned with reinforcements to clear the area.

Police said they had to disperse the protesters because they were disrupting public order and gathering illegally. They arrested 37 men and 8 women during the clashes, which police said injured four officers. A police spokesman told local television that none of those arrested were hurt.

“I have to stress here that even though protesters raised their hands in the air it does not mean it was a peaceful protest,” said the spokesman, Tsui Wai-Hung. He said some protesters kicked the officers and attacked them with their umbrellas.