'Fire magicians' and mediaeval weaponry: A Hong Kong university under siege

HONG KONG - For three days last week, anti-government protesters camped out at Hong Kong's sprawling Polytechnic University prepared for what they feared might be a bloody, even deadly, battle with police.

On the other side of the barricades and beyond the flames of burning debris were lines of riot police, armed with batons, tear gas and rubber bullets. Outside, a team produced petrol bombs, while the university's archery team gave impromptu lessons on how to draw a bow. Hot food was served in the cafeteria, where signs were posted asking media not to take photographs so that weary young men and women could shed their masks to eat and chat. Nearby, others napped on yoga mats spread across a basketball court.

The trigger was a Bill introduced by Hong Kong's government that would have allowed the extradition of suspects to the mainland for trial. In response to questions from Reuters, Ms Lam's office said:"The Chief Executive has made it clear on various occasions that violence is not a solution to any problem."Fears that police were preparing to enter universities and arrest students involved in protests sparked an online appeal to protect campuses, attracting an influx of young protesters.

Some people tried slipping out past the police cordons in dramatic fashion: through the sewers, or abseiling down a rope hanging from a bridge.On Tuesday, Hong Kong's new police chief Chris Tang called for support from all citizens to help end the unrest by condemning acts of violence. Lee, a 20-year-old nursing student, joined the protests in June, taking to the streets to peacefully demonstrate against the extradition Bill.

On Nov. 11, hundreds of protesters there began constructing barricades on campus and blocked off a nearby highway with bricks and branches.

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