October 29, 2019, 03:11 PM
Protests in Hong Kong have been raging on for the past five months, with no signs of slowing down.
Vandalised bank by mistake
In an incident that took place last Sunday, Oct. 20, protesters vandalised the exterior of the Bank of East Asia (BEA) branch located at Mong Kok, which was one of the hundreds of stores that were targeted.
BEA is an independent local Hong Kong bank. It is currently the largest independent Hong Kong-based bank, and one of the two family-run banks in the city.
The protesters had apparently targeted the wrong bank, as they later put up a note that said "Sorry, we smashed wrongly", as well as a small amount of cash, after the act of vandalism.
Screenshot via Now News
Protesters rampage across Hong Kong
The rally on Oct. 20 started out peacefully during the day despite the police ban.
It subsequently descended into scenes of vandalism carried out by small groups.
Image via Apple Daily HK
Hundreds of shops, MTR stations, mainland Chinese banks, and banks with pro-Beijing links were targeted in the rampage.
Bank of China was one of the Chinese banks being targetted.
Protesters were angered by attacks on two activists a few days ago.
A group of hammer-wielding men attacked human rights activist Jimmy Sham on Oct. 16.
— FayeHyun 🇺🇦 #FightForTRUMP！ (@FayeHuyn) October 16, 2019
Following that, a 19-year-old protester who was handing out pro-democracy fliers to passersby was stabbed in the neck and stomach on Oct. 18.
Previously, stores that are linked to triads involved in mob attacks against protesters have also been targetted.The rampage came after two weeks of relative calm, showing that the movement has not lost its momentum.
Hong Kong is facing its first recession in a decade due to the unrest.
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Top image via Now News
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