In November 2019, protesters and police engaged in a violent face-off at Hong Kong Polytechnic University that saw molotov cocktails being hurled against officers with tear gas and water cannons. Photographers from United Social Press share their most striking images of the action.

Poly U seige November 2019
Protesters with umbrellas, a symbol of the 2014 pro-democracy umbrella movement, stand at a footbridge at Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Photo: Tam Ming Keung/United Social Press
molotov cocktails Poly-U seige November 2019
Protesters prepare Molotov cocktails at Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Photo: Tam Ming Keung/United Social Press
molotov cocktails Poly-U seige November 2019
Protesters in gas masks with molotov cocktails. Photo: Viola Kam/United Social Press
Poly-U Protesters November 2019
Protesters on Poly-U rooftop against the Hong Kong skyline. Photo: Jimmy Lam/United Social Press
Protester slogans Hongkongers take revenge Poly-UGraffiti on flyover Hongkongers take revenge An eye for an eye
Protest slogan on flyover near Hong Kong Polytechnic University that reads “Hongkongers take revenge! An eye for an eye!” Photo: Kevin Cheng/United Social Press
Protester food kitchen Poly-U
Protester prepares food at Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Photo: Tam Ming Keung/United Social Press
tear gas poly-u
Tear gas deployed above Hong Kong Polytechnic University campus. Photo: Benjamin Yuen/United Social Press
Poly-u protesters yellow helmet
Protesters brace themselves for face-off with police. Photo: Viola Kam/United Social Press
tear gas poly-u umbrellas
Protester with umbrellas enshrouded with tear gas near Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Photo: Jimmy Lam/United Social Press
umbrella tear gas poly-u
A pile of umbrellas, bricks and debris amongst the tear gas. Photo: Viola Kam/United Social Press
protester with 'fang bao' anti-violent shield
Protester holding a riot-police styled shield. Photo: Viola Kam/United Social Press
water cannon protesters bricks poly-u
Protesters shield themselves from jets of water from a police water cannon. Photo: Benjamin Yuen/United Social Press
protester molotov cocktail armoured car poly-u
Protester aiming Molotov cocktail at armoured police vehicle. Photo: Benjamin Yuen/United Social Press
fire flyover bridge poly-u armoured police car
Flames on a flyover leading to Hong Kong Polytechnic University where an armoured police car face protester umbrellas. Photo: Tam Ming Keung/United Social Press
protester water cannon poly-u
Lone protester shields against a blast from police water cannons. Photo: Viola Kam/United Social Press
protesters night gear gas masks umbrellas poly-u
Protesters in gas masks and helmets at night. Photo: Viola Kam/ United Social Press
crowd protesters police water cannons poly-u
A crowd of protesters face a police water cannon near Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Photo: Viola Kam/ United Social Press
protester resting water cannon poly-u
Resting protester on Hong Kong Polytechnic University campus. Photo: Jimmy Lam/United Social Press
tear gas umbrella 'glory to Hong Kong' poly-u
Clouds of tear gas next to open umbrella and ‘Glory to Hong Kong’ slogan. Photo: Jimmy Lam/United Social Press
poly-u barricade protesters
Protesters enter Hong Kong Polytechnic University campus behind barricade of chairs and tables. Photo: Tam Ming Keung/United Social Press.
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