Hong Kong protests over China extradition bill

By James Griffiths, Helen Regan, Ben Westcott, Steve George and Julia Hollingsworth, CNN

Updated 11:06 p.m. ET, June 12, 2019
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4:58 a.m. ET, June 12, 2019

Many protesters retreat into Hong Kong's malls

From CNN's Julia Hollingsworth and Ben Westcott

Protesters retreat after police fired tear gas during a rally against a controversial extradition law proposal outside the government headquarters in Hong Kong on June 12,
Protesters retreat after police fired tear gas during a rally against a controversial extradition law proposal outside the government headquarters in Hong Kong on June 12,  Dale de La Rey/AFP/Getty Images

As the police continue to push back along Harcourt Road, many of the protesters have retreated into the nearby Pacific Place and Queensway shopping centers.

Police have used so much tear gas that it has set off the fire alarm inside the Queensway mall.

Even streets away, protesters are still able to feel the effects of the tear gas from around the Legislative Council.

The walkway above Harcourt Road, next to the government building, has now been cleared by police.

5:46 a.m. ET, June 12, 2019

Tear gas was a game changer in 2014. Will it be the same in 2019?

From CNN's Helen Regan and James Griffiths

Protesters and members of the media react after police fired tear gas.
Protesters and members of the media react after police fired tear gas. DALE DE LA REY/AFP/Getty Images

It's the first time since the Umbrella Movement in 2014 that police have fired tear gas at protesters in Hong Kong.

Then, in the evening of September 28, police fired multiple rounds of tear gas at protesters, who had been gathering around the Legislative Council building all day.

The images of tear gas being used against young students galvanized the movement and the next day hundreds of thousands of people came out in support -- ultimately leading to the 79 day occupation of key areas in the city.

CNN's James Griffiths said: "Tear gas is what took Occupy from a student protest to a mass movement."

Read more about the return of Hong Kong's Umbrella Movement here.

5:38 a.m. ET, June 12, 2019

What the protesters are saying

From CNN's Julia Hollingsworth

A protester wearing a mask reacts after police fired tear gas during demonstrations outside the Legislative Council Complex in Hong Kong on June 12.
A protester wearing a mask reacts after police fired tear gas during demonstrations outside the Legislative Council Complex in Hong Kong on June 12. Isaac Lawrence/AFP/Getty Images

Long Chen, 25, came out on Sunday to protest, and has been in Admiralty since 12 p.m. local time. He’s planning to stay until 8 or 9 p.m., but he expects others to stay overnight. “Hong Kong people don’t trust the Chinese government,” the maintenance worker told CNN.

Sean, a 20-year-old business student who would not give his full name, had tried to cross the Harbor to Tsim Sha Tsui to get supplies, including gloves and helmets. But said he and his friends were blocked by police. “They’re trying to cut off the supply," he said.

He said he would stay out as long as it takes, but said today’s protest wouldn’t be Occupy 2.0 as the protest was less organized than in 2014, and the government was less willing to listen. “We don’t have any leaders this time,” he said, wearing a blue face mask over his mouth. “This is our last hope.”

Karry Yu, a 30-year-old office worker, said she bought around 10 umbrellas which she tossed down from an overpass to fellow protestors to help protect them from tear gas. “It’s a critical moment for the Hong Kong people,” Yu said.

Chants of "Hong Kong ga yao!" (“Hong Kong add oil!”) ring out from the crowd.

5:36 a.m. ET, June 12, 2019

Police retake Tim Wa Avenue

From CNN's James Griffiths

Police have now retaken Tim Wa Avenue, which was temporarily held by protesters who appear to have been pushed towards Queensway -- which runs roughly parallel to Harcourt Road.

Tim Wa is not a major road but is significant because it joins to the entrance of the Legislative Council. It also runs parallel to the Chinese People's Liberation Army Forces Hong Kong building.

The crowd on the overpass is shouting abuse at police.

Both sides are currently regrouping.

Follow where the protests are taking place with this map:

4:22 a.m. ET, June 12, 2019

Police push back protesters with batons and tear gas

From CNN's James Griffiths

Police reinforcements are building up en masse at Lung Wo Road. They are pushing back towards Tim Wa Avenue, which is under the control of protesters.

A tear gas warning went up before police charged protesters on Tim Wa with batons and pepper spray.

Police pushed past central government gate and reinforcements are pouring out now onto Tim Wa Avenue.

More tear gas has been fired.

4:18 a.m. ET, June 12, 2019

Young protesters say 'this has happened before'

From CNN's Ella Hurworth and Zoe Sottile

University student Issac Lai and his friends have been at the protests since 6:30 this morning. He said they ran to Admiralty MTR station when police began to use tear gas.

When asked how he felt about the legislature delaying the debate on the bill, Lai said it was “horrible."

He said they probably won't rejoin protests any time soon as it’s “too dangerous” and they don’t have any protection.

Also in the MTR, a university student who declined to give her name, said that “the worst thing" about the police countermeasures was the feeling it had "happened before."

"We know the result. We’re still doing this, and we put our lives at risk. We don’t have any choice," she said.

Protesters could be seen running away from Tamar Park after police fire multiple shots of teargas.

4:13 a.m. ET, June 12, 2019

Police fire tear gas on protesters

CNN's James Griffiths, Eric Cheung and Yuli Yang

Tear gas can be seen on Harcourt Road, near to the Legislative Council building.
Tear gas can be seen on Harcourt Road, near to the Legislative Council building. James Griffiths

Hong Kong police have fired tear gas as protesters rushed the front lines outside the Legislative Council.

Barricades have been moved up to entrance of the Legislative Council.
Barricades have been moved up to entrance of the Legislative Council. James Griffiths

Police have now set up a line of defense inside the building while protesters have taken temporary control of Tim Wa Avenue.

Protesters in Tamar Park are shouting to get people prepared with water and protection.

3:33 a.m. ET, June 12, 2019

Taiwan Foreign Minister to protesters: 'You are not alone'

From CNN's Helen Regan

Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has tweeted in support of the anti-extradition protests.

"I stand shoulder to shoulder with the hundreds of thousands in #HongKong fighting the extradition bill & for rule of law. Please know you are not alone. #Taiwan is with you! The will of the people will prevail!" said the tweet, which was signed by Taiwan's Foreign Minister Joseph Wu.

Wu linked to a post from Reporters Without Borders saying that they, along with 73 other NGOs sent a letter to Carrie Lam calling for Hong Kong to immediately withdraw the extradition bill.

3:24 a.m. ET, June 12, 2019

Crowds swell once more

From CNN's James Griffiths

Protesters on the corner of Harcourt Road and Legislative Council Road in Hong Kong.
Protesters on the corner of Harcourt Road and Legislative Council Road in Hong Kong. James Griffiths

The area around the Legislative Council entrance is packed again after thinning out around midday.

The corner of Harcourt Road and Legislative Council Road, where protesters first seized control of the streets this morning, is again heaving with people.

Around midday the crowd had thinned as rain and hunger sent protesters in search of shelter and food, though the latter was increasingly hard to come by as local shops and restaurants quickly sold out of everything that was available, not used to having thousands of customers at once.

The crowd size is growing again now though, and will likely continue to do so as those who did go to work or school finish and join the protests.

At several points the crowd joined in chants of “shelve the bill” that could be heard several blocks away.