Demand from Hong Kong protesters and civilians fearing tear gas sees supplies run low in Taipei
Asia Times
Date: August 13, 2019
By: KG Chan
Police fire tear gas at protesters near the Hong Kong parliament early on July 2 to regain control of the building after demonstrators took it over. Photo: AFP/Anthony Wallace
After helmets and balaclavas, face masks with air filters have been flying off the shelves at stores in Hong Kong as the smell of tear gas fired by police drifts through the restive city, but stocks are running low.
In Kwai Fong, for example, a largely residential town in the New Territories, many streets and the train station still reek of tear gas after a police riot squad clashed with protesters inside the station concourse during a fierce skirmish on Sunday evening.
A member of the Hong Kong police’s riot squad fires tear gas inside the concourse at Kwai Fong MTR station. Photo: Instagram via Felix.image
Now more Hongkongers, incensed by alleged police brutality, are turning to Taiwan to buy masks and filters. They say even if they do not join future demonstrations, they will need the items to protect themselves and their children as the police have shown no qualms about firing the irritating chemical substance at crowds. [FULL STORY]
