Hong Kong protesters fire arrows at police

Protesters reportedly fired arrows and threw petrol bombs at police during a standoff in front of a barricaded university on Sunday in Hong Kong.

About 200 demonstrators stood their ground on the Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s campus, as police attempted to force them out with tear gas and water cannon, Reuters reported, adding that some protesters shot arrows at police from the tops of buildings. 

One arrow struck a media liaison officer in the leg, and a metal ball hit another officer’s visor, but he was uninjured, according to the news service. 

One demonstrator said the activists shot arrows to protect themselves.

“The protesters have been reacting to the police,” the person, identified as Joris, told Reuters. “We haven’t fought back as much as we could. I would be prepared for jail. We are fighting for Hong Kong.” 

According to the news service, police said in a statement that “[r]ioters continue to launch hard objects and petrol bombs with large catapults at police officers.”

“Police warn that the violent activities in the Hong Kong Polytechnic University have escalated to rioting,” officials added.

The campus is the last of five that had been occupied by demonstrators. Protesters set fires to bridges leading to the university to prevent police from advancing, The Associated Press reported.

Police and protesters also traded tear gas and petrol bombs Saturday night, sparking fires in the streets.

In a more peaceful part of the protests, several hundred people connected in a human chain in central Hong Kong, according to the AP.

Pro-democracy demonstrations have now stretched over five months in the semi-autonomous state.