Hong Kong policemen escort a vehicle carrying protesters, who are facing one count each for taking part in a riot on Feb. 8 in Mongkok district, to a court building in Hong Kong on Feb. 11. Clashes broke out over official attempts to remove illegal street hawkers during the Lunar New Year. (Photo by AFP)
The Hong Kong Diocese's Justice and Peace Commission is demanding that the government establish an independent committee to investigate violent clashes between police and protesters that occurred during the Chinese New Year.
Clashes broke out Feb. 8 between police and local residents who were protesting the removal of unlicensed food vendors in Hong Kong's Mongkok district. Police fired two warning shots as protesters lit fires and attacked officers.
Dozens were arrested and injured in the worst violence Hong Kong has seen since pro-democracy protests in 2014.
The Justice and Peace Commission circulated a petition to parishioners, demanding that the government establish the independent committee, allowing judges the authority to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the protest and violence and how to prevent it in the future.
Hong Kong's Legislative Council announced on March 16 that it would form a committee to investigate the clashes. But Justice and Peace Commission member Susanna Lee said the council's investigation would be internal. The commission is seeking an independent investigation.
Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing of Hong Kong also urged the government to set up the committee to investigate what caused the protests and violence.
The protests were sparked by attempts by police to remove illegal food vendors from the streets of Mongkok during Lunar New Year celebrations. While the vendors are unlicensed, their presence is considered a local tradition. Protesters saw the crackdown by Beijing encroaching on Hong Kong's life and culture, the Associated Press reported.
As police moved in, protesters pelted them with bricks and other debris. At least 24 people were arrested. Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying said 80 officers and four journalists were injured, the AP reported.
