Sydney, Melbourne protesters clash over Hong Kong
Police in Melbourne and Sydney forced to separate pro-Hong Kong and pro-China protesters.
Police were forced to separate pro-Hong Kong and pro-China protesters who have clashed in simultaneous protests in Melbourne and Sydney on Friday night.
Hundreds of pro-democracy protesters turned out at rallies in both capital cities to stand in solidarity with protests that have been occurring in Hong Kong over the past few months.
Protesters wore face masks to hide their identities and show support for their fellow protesters in Hong Kong.
Some were also wearing red bandages over their right eyes in solidarity with a girl who was allegedly shot in the by police in Hong Kong late last week.
Some of their posters read: “Say No to Hong Kong Police’s Brutality”, “Support Hong Kong people against tyranny” and “I can’t keep calm because Hong Kong is dying.”
By 7.15pm the peaceful, silent protest in Sydney’s Martin Place was interrupted by a group of about 50 pro-China protesters who were yelling that Hong Kong was “part of China”.
Meanwhile, the solidarity protest in Melbourne turned violent when a group of pro-Chinese protesters dashed into the middle of the pro-Hong Kong group.
There was a greater turnout in Melbourne as about 1000 people gathered outside the State Library on Swanston Street.
The rival groups began to shove one another. An ABC cameraman was pushed over and had his gear targeted before police intervened, Nine reported.
Social media videos show rival activists jostling as tempers flared at the demonstration.
The two groups faced off and exchanged heated words before police formed a line separating the groups.
In Martin Place, Ariel Lui, a Chinese student at the University of Technology Sydney, was holding a sign that read: “Stop Violence, I support Hong Kong policemen”.
“I don’t like any people trying to set apart our country,” Ms Liu said.
One pro-Hong Kong protester said he was appalled by the “arrogance and nationalism” displayed by “mainlanders”.
“They don’t know what it’s like,” the 23-year-old, who wished to remain anonymous, said.
The two groups were separated before any violence could erupt, but heated, angry chanting was exchanged between the two groups.
About 30 police and riot squad created a barrier between the two groups to prevent a clash and after half-an-hour the two groups had dissipated.
There is another pro-Hong Kong protest scheduled for Sydney’s Belmore Park this Sunday.
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