Tear gas, water cannon fired at firebomb-throwing protesters in Hong Kong

Police have fired tear gas and water cannons Sunday at protesters who threw firebombs as the protests in Hong Kong escalated into more violence. 

Pro-democratic protesters launched bricks and petrol bombs beyond the police barriers in front of the Hong Kong government, The Associated Press reported. The police reacted by firing tear gas and spraying water chemical-laced water with blue liquid into the crowd. 

The protesters’ plan for a march was denied by the police for Sunday. But protesters decided to follow through with it anyway. 

{mosads}The group marched 1.2 miles to the business district causing a disruption to traffic and stores. They waved U.S. and British flags and burned Chinese flags, according to The Associated Press.

The news wire reports that since the protests began at the end of March more than 1,300 people have been arrested in altercations between protesters and police. 

The partly independent city has erupted in protests after a bill was proposed to allow Hong Kong citizens to be tried in China. Since then, the protesters have developed a broader pro-democratic message.

The Civil Human Rights also requested a protest on Aug. 31 that police banned. But protesters ignored the ban and gathered anyway leading police to storm a subway car and hit protesters with batons and pepper spray, The Associated Press reported.