Hong Kong police fight with protesters amid rising tensions

HONG KONG (AP) — Police in Hong Kong fought with protesters on Sunday as they broke up a demonstration by thousands of people demanding the resignation of the semi-autonomous Chinese territory's chief executive and an investigation into complaints of police violence.

The protest that began at about 3 p.m. in the northern district of Sha Tin was peaceful throughout most of the day. But some scuffles broke out after nightfall, when police with helmets and shields started clearing streets in the densely crowded area of high-rise buildings.

Hundreds of protesters, many wearing helmets and surgical masks, retreated into a shopping complex, where some threw umbrellas and water bottles at police. Police followed them, and reporters could see the two sides along walkways of several floors of the complex hitting each other with umbrellas and grabbing each other's helmets.

The demonstration added to an outpouring of grievances over the past six months against the former British colony's leaders. Critics complain they are eroding Hong Kong's freedoms and autonomy and are more responsive to the Beijing government than to the territory's people.

Protests that began last month in opposition to a proposed extradition law also have swelled to include complaints about an influx of mainland Chinese into Hong Kong.

On Sunday, protesters demanded an investigation into complaints that police assaulted participants in earlier demonstrations against the extradition law. Some carried signs reading "Police Are Liars." Other signs read "Defend Hong Kong."

"There were a lot of large-scale protests and the government has not responded to them," said one protester, 59-year-old Peggie Cheung. "The police seem to have become even more violent. I didn't think this protest would do much to help, but coming out on the streets felt like a...