Siege of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Siege of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Part of the 2019–2020 Hong Kong protests
Protesters setting fire at the entrance of the campus to stop the police from advancing on 18 November.
Date17–29 November 2019
1 week and 5 days
Location
Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Caused byPolice attempt to seize control of the main roads surrounding the Polytechnic University campus blocked by protesters, including the Cross-Harbour Tunnel
Resulted inProtesters disperse and police clear out the campus
Parties
Injuries and arrests
Injuriesc. 300[1]
Arrestedc. 1,300[1]
2019–2020 Hong Kong protests
Background
Timeline
2019
2020
Major incidents
Tactics and methods
Fatalities
Reactions to the protests
Reactions to the Hong Kong national security law
2020
2021

The siege of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University[2][3] occurred during the 2019–2020 Hong Kong protests on the campus of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU).[4][5]

The event was preceded by a similar conflict at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. It was precipitated by the setting-up of a roadblock at the Cross-Harbour Tunnel, next to the university. Protesters gathered at the university to defend the roadblock from attacks by the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF). The police shot tear gas and used water cannons to shower the protesters with water containing blue colouring and chemical irritants.[6][7] The protesters responded by throwing bricks and petrol bombs.[8]

Thereafter, the police blocked different campus exits and forbade protesters from leaving. Police tried to drive an armoured vehicle into campus but the vehicle was hit by petrol bombs, forcing it to reverse.[9] The police arrested people who claimed to be first-aid personnel, medical volunteers and reporters.[10][11]

On 18 November the police shot 1,458 canisters of tear gas at protesters as well as 1,391 rubber bullets, 325 bean bag rounds, and 256 sponge grenades.[12][13] On 19 November the city's hospitals were overwhelmed by the number of protesters needing urgent medical attention caused by the siege, and advised citizens not to use emergency rooms unless absolutely necessary.[14]

  1. ^ a b Lee, Yuk Yue; Chen, Zifei (21 November 2022). "Three years on, Hong Kongers keep alive memory of Polytechnic University battles". Radio Free Asia. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  2. ^ Pao, Jeff (18 November 2019). "Hong Kong Poly U siege a 'humanitarian crisis'". Asia Times. Archived from the original on 18 November 2019. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  3. ^ "'A heartbreaking day': PolyU student leaders call for public help as hundreds trapped in campus". Hong Kong Free Press. 18 November 2019. Archived from the original on 18 November 2019. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  4. ^ Zhang, Michael (17 November 2019). "Police storm Hong Kong Polytechnic University after stand off with protesters". The Daily Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 17 November 2019. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  5. ^ Wong, Edward; Ives, Mike; May, Tiffany; Li, Katherine; Lam, Yik Fei (17 November 2019). "Hong Kong Violence Escalates as Police and Protesters Clash at University". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 18 November 2019. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  6. ^ 警方理大周邊設防線 不准示威者接近校園. now新聞台 (in Cantonese). 18 November 2019. Archived from the original on 18 November 2019. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  7. ^ 【不斷更新】示威者退守理大 警繼續封鎖. 香港獨立媒體網 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). 18 November 2019. Archived from the original on 18 November 2019. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  8. ^ 劉定安, 陳倩婷, 張美華, 黃偉倫, 張嘉敏, 王潔恩, 梁祖饒, 陳信熙 (17 November 2019). 【11.17港九直播】泛民紅磡見記者 呼籲林鄭正視「人道危機」. 香港01 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Archived from the original on 25 May 2022. Retrieved 17 November 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  9. ^ 修例風波：理大示威者投擲多個汽油彈 銳武裝甲車一度起火. on.cc東網 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). 17 November 2019. Archived from the original on 18 November 2019. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  10. ^ 傳港警攻入理大醫療避難處 現場留手寫信、大量血跡 – 國際 – 自由時報電子報. Liberty Times (in Chinese). 18 November 2019. Archived from the original on 18 November 2019. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  11. ^ Chan, Holmes (18 November 2019). "Hong Kong police arrest 51 who 'claimed to be medics or journalists' near besieged PolyU campus". Hong Kong Free Press. Archived from the original on 18 November 2019. Retrieved 22 December 2019.
  12. ^ "Hong Kong Polytechnic University: Protesters still inside as standoff continues". BBC News. 18 November 2019. Archived from the original on 20 November 2019. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  13. ^ Prescott, Katie (15 November 2019). "Hong Kong: 'I was tear gassed getting my lunch'". BBC. Archived from the original on 16 November 2019. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  14. ^ Leung, Jasmine; Talmazan, Yuliya; Bradley, Matt (19 November 2019). "Hundreds arrested, but 100 remain holed up at Hong Kong university". NBC News. Archived from the original on 19 November 2019. Retrieved 20 November 2019.