Protests in Hong Kong have continued following the death of a Christian student who fell from a parking garage where police clashed with protesters.
According to the Christian Post, the anti-government demonstrations have become increasingly violent.
“Protesters in Hong Kong have added to their arsenal javelins and bows and arrows, in addition to bricks and petrol bombs as they clash with police armed with tear gas, water cannon, and live bullets, in violent standoffs now spilling into university campuses,” The U.K. Telegraph reports. Police also said some protesters have “shot arrows dipped in gasoline and lit on fire,” and have used “electric saws.”
Last week, Alex Chow Tsz-Iok, a 22-year-old computer science undergraduate at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, died from his injuries after he fell from the third floor of a parking garage to the second floor. Chow fell as police were using tear gas fire to disperse the protestors in Tseung Kwan O.
Protestors are blaming police for his death, vandalizing an on-campus Starbuck and the porch of the chancellor.
“The police tell the public that Chow’s death is by accident. But I won’t believe in it,” said Jenny Chou, 22, a college freshman who was among the hundreds of people holding vigil at the site where he fell.
“I hope he will move on to a better place and Hong Kongers will continue to fight for what we deserve,” Chou added.
Chow was part of anti-government demonstrations opposed to an extradition bill. The proposed bill would have allowed the extradition of suspects from Taiwan to other countries, such as mainland China.
Secretary for Security John Lee Ka-chiu told the Legislative Council that more than 3,000 people have been arrested because of the protests since the end of October.
Meanwhile, U.S. State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said the U.S. is watching the situation with “grave concern.”
“We condemn violence on all sides, extend our sympathies to victims of violence regardless of their political inclinations, and call for all parties — police and protesters — to exercise restraint,” the statement said.
Photo courtesy: Getty Images/Anthony Kwan/Stringer
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