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Protests in Hong Kong

Hong Kong police remove more pro-democracy protest barricades

Small groups of demonstrators remained calm and made no attempts to hamper the effort, no clashes have been reported

© EPA/ROLEX DELA PENA

HONG KONG, October 14. /TASS/. Hundreds of policemen in Hong Kong on Tuesday morning continued removing barricades erected by pro-democracy protesters in the center of the financial hub.

Small groups of demonstrators remained calm and made no attempts to hamper the effort. No clashes have been reported. The transport situation in the city seems to be improving.

On Monday, hundreds of people opposing the protests, which broke out over two weeks ago, attempted to tear down barricades in downtown Hong Kong, clashing with the demonstrators.

Police made a number of arrests to stop the scuffles, local media reports said.

Demonstrators, among them thousands of students, are demanding the resignation of Hong Kong’s chief executive Leung Chun-yin and free democratic election.

The protests were thought to be dying out since early last week when protest leaders were expected to start talks with Carrie Lam, the second-ranking official in the Hong Kong government.

However, the rallies intensified on Friday after the government called off the proposed round of talks.

The movement has been dubbed "the Umbrella Revolution" after many people used umbrellas to protect themselves from pepper spray and tear gas, as well as to cope with oppressive heat.

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