Turn to violence?
New players
https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/22/asia/hong-kong-protests-violence-intl-hnk/index.html
2019-07-22 07:05:00Z
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CNN's Eric Cheung, Maisy Mok, Laura He and Chermaine Lee contributed reporting.
Dozens of masked men armed with batons stormed a train station in the Hong Kong district of Yuen Long on Sunday.
Footage posted on social media showed the masked men, all in white T-shirts, violently attacking people on platforms and inside train carriages.
Forty-five people were injured, with one person in a critical condition.
Read more: Hong Kong reels from armed mob violence
Contributions: CNN's Stephy Chung, Maisy Mok, Jessie Yeung, Jadyn Sham and Charmaine Lee contributed to this report from Hong Kong.
Tens of thousands of protesters returned to the streets of Hong Kong on Sunday, as opposition to an unpopular extradition bill transformed into a demand that an independent investigation be conducted into the forceful tactics used by police during previous demonstrations.
Over the past seven weeks, millions have been demonstrating against Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam, seen by protesters as allowing an erosion of freedoms independent of mainland China.
Some protesters, with their faces shrouded, removed barricades and are carrying them towards the Liaison Office. “It’s a revolution of the times! Recover Hong Kong!” the crowds chanted. pic.twitter.com/h2VbsLhpgA
— Tiffany May (@nytmay) July 21, 2019
A major flashpoint in the weeks of protests has been opposition to an extradition bill that would have allowed people in Hong Kong to be sent to mainland China to face trials in courts controlled by the Communist Party, prompting fears that prosecutions would target activists critical of China.
Earlier this month, as pressure to kill the effort mounted, Lam apologized for proposing the contentious legislation and declared the bill dead, yet protesters were still not happy since Lam stopped short of formally withdrawing the bill. Lam has said she has no plans to renew a push for the bill, a move that has further dissatisfied protesters.
There have been tense moments during the protests, with riot police using tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons to disperse crowds.
Police officials have defended their tactics, saying force has been used only when protesters became violent. Officials point to actions such as when a small group of demonstrators stormed Hong Kong's Legislative Council building, shattering glass and tearing down a metal wall, as proof that demonstrators have gotten out of hand at times.
On Saturday, tens of thousands turned out to support the police and protest violence in a demonstration organized by a pro-establishment group.
But on Sunday, masses of people critical of the establishment demanding more transparency and democracy overtook the street again. Some demonstrators carried banners that read "Independent Inquiry for Rule of Law," asking for an outside probe of what protesters see as excessive force used by police against marchers.
Special tactic forces and riot police are advancing on Connaught Rd West on to large number of #AntiELAB protesters pic.twitter.com/uciXI2F27j
— Xinqi Su (@XinqiSu) July 21, 2019
The protest movement has different factions and additional demands, including pro-democracy activists calling for the right to elect their own government, which is now approved by Beijing. Other demonstrators are asking that those who clashed with police have their charges dropped. And some in the crowd fed up with Lam are calling for her resignation.
This church is organising teams of 7 people to stand between police and protesters, effectively as human shield, in case clashes break out. @SCMPNews #extradition pic.twitter.com/ADiniJEPCs
— Phila Siu (Bobby) (@phila_siu) July 21, 2019
Although the demonstrators were largely peaceful on Sunday, protesters extended beyond a police-ordered finish point for the rally. Thousands then headed toward the Chinese government's liaison office.
Rows of riot police assembled near the building, some protesters having pelted the office with eggs before leaving. The Chinese Communist Party emblem at the entrance was also spray-painted over. This breakaway group of protests, some wearing all black and wearing masks, are rallying around the chant, "Liberate Hong Kong, the Revolution of Our Times."
Hong Kong police used tear gas against the protesters on Sunday in an attempt to force them to disperse.
Hong Kong police just fired tear gas at protesters as a large group of people stay on the streets following the anti-extradition bill march on Sunday pic.twitter.com/gfnXGUpNVY
— Bloomberg TicToc (@tictoc) July 21, 2019
Organizers said 430,000 demonstrators came out on Sunday. Police offered a lower number, estimating that about 138,000 took part in the marches.
Police on Friday seized a large stash of explosives in a suspected bomb-making factory, where anti-extradition bill pamphlets were also found, but police said the link between the site and the protest movement against the legislation was still under investigation. Local media reported that three men have been apprehended in connection with the seizure of explosives.
NPR's Julie McCarthy contributed to this report.
TOKYO — Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s ruling coalition secured a majority in Japan’s upper house of parliament in elections Sunday, according to vote counts by public television and other media. Exit polls indicated Abe could even close in on the super-majority needed to propose constitutional revisions.
NHK public television said Abe’s Liberal Democratic Party and its junior partner Komeito had won 64 seats in the upper house after two hours of vote counting. The two-thirds majority needed for constitutional revision could be within reach if the ruling bloc can gain support from members of another conservative party and independents.
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Up for grabs were 124 seats in the less powerful of Japan’s two parliamentary chambers. There are 245 seats in the upper house — which does not choose the prime minister — about half of which are elected every three years.
The results appeared to match or even exceed pre-election polls that indicated Abe’s ruling bloc was to keep ground in the upper house, with most voters considering it a safer choice over an opposition with an uncertain track record. To reach the two-thirds majority, or 164 seats, Abe needs 85 more seats by his ruling bloc and supporters of a charter change.
Opposition parties have focused on concerns over household finances, such as the impact from an upcoming 10% sales tax increase and strains on the public pension system amid Japan’s aging population.
Abe has led his Liberal Democratic Party to five consecutive parliamentary election victories since 2012.
He has prioritized revitalizing Japan’s economy and has steadily bolstered the country’s defenses in the backdrop of North Korea’s missile and nuclear threats and China’s growing military presence. He also has showcased his diplomatic skills by cultivating warm ties with President Donald Trump.
Abe was hoping to gain enough upper house seats to boost his chances for constitutional revision, his long-cherished goal before his term ends in 2021. Abe needs approval by a two-thirds majority in both houses to propose a revision and seek a national referendum. His ruling bloc already has a two-thirds majority in the more powerful lower house.
But Abe and his conservative backers face challenges because voters seem more concerned about their jobs, the economy and social security.
The main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and three other liberal-leaning parties teamed up in some districts. They stressed support for gender equality and LGBT issues — areas Abe’s ultra-conservative lawmakers are reluctant to back.
At a polling station in Tokyo’s Chuo district on Sunday, voters were divided over Abe’s 6 1/2-year rule.
A voter who identified himself only as a company worker in his 40s said he chose a candidate and a party that have demonstrated an ability to get things done, suggesting he voted for Abe’s ruling party and its candidate, as “there is no point in casting my vote for a party or a politician who has no such abilities.”
Another voter, Katsunori Takeuchi, a 57-year-old fish market worker, said it was time to change the dominance of Abe and his ultra-conservative policies.
“I think the ruling party has been dominating politics for far too long and it is causing damage,” he said.
Thousands of people are marching in Hong Kong in the latest of a series of protests by pro-democracy campaigners.
Protesters ignored the designated finish line, continuing on to China's government headquarters in Hong Kong, where anti-China graffiti was sprayed.
The BBC's Stephen McDonell was amid the pro-democracy protesters as tear gas began to be fired.
Thousands of people are marching in Hong Kong in the latest of a series of protests by pro-democracy campaigners.
Protesters ignored the designated finish line, continuing on to China's government headquarters in Hong Kong, where anti-China graffiti was sprayed.
The BBC's Stephen McDonell was amid the pro-democracy protesters as tear gas began to be fired.