Hong Kong's Chief Executive announced a ban on face masks, with effect from midnight tonight. Face masks are ubiquitous in the city since SARS and due to air pollution, but have also been worn by protesters to protect against tear gas fired by police and identification. The Chinese central government quickly approved the decision.
The HK government is reportedly split on the measure, but the Chief Executive cited increasing violence and the desire to head it off. (A policeman shot an 18-year-old protester in the chest on Tuesday; while in surgery, the protester was charged with assaulting a police officer. He's in critical condition.) Yesterday alone, 1400 canisters of tear gas were fired by police, 269 arrests made, 900 rubber bullets fired, and 6 live rounds fired.
On the announcement, the city tensed up and employees walked straight from their jobs, put on masks, and began setting up barricades. Police are firing tear gas into crowds right now. Middle class residents are screaming "Disband the police" as units move through their neighborhoods.
An Indonesian journalist was shot in the eye by police. The Indonesia government is threatening to take the Hong Kong police to the international court of justice.
CNN reported yesterday that President Trump had promised Chinese leader Xi Jinping on a phone call in June that he (Trump) and the administration would stay quiet on Hong Kong as long as trade talks were ongoing. State Department officials are upset that they have been muzzled from referencing the ongoing conflict.
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