Updated at 9:10 a.m. ET
Hong Kong's police department says it is investigating reports of excessive use of force against pro-democracy demonstrators today following some of the most intense clashes since the protests ramped up last month.
As we reported earlier, in the past 24 hours "police [have] played a game of Whac-a-Mole with protesters. They cleared streets only to have protesters erect roadblocks elsewhere." They used pepper spray and batons, dragging off dozens of protesters who sought to set up roadblocks around an underpass near government headquarters, in the heart of the city's financial district. Authorities made 45 arrests for "unlawful assembly."
According to The South China Morning Post: "Most of the 45 Occupy [Central] protesters who were arrested during clashes around Lung Wo Road [in Admiralty] are expected to be bailed out, according to their lawyers."
Protesters had also gathered in the densely populated Mong Kok area of Kowloon.
The BBC reports:
The Associated Press says:
Li Ka-shing, Hong Kong's most prominent business tycoon, called today for an end to the demonstrations, declaring that since the former British colony reverted to Chinese control in 1997, "the 'one country, two system' formula has protected Hong Kong's lifestyle.
"I urge everyone not to be agitated. I urge everyone not to let today's passion become the regret for tomorrow. I earnestly request everyone to return to their families," Li said in his first public comments on the protests, as quoted by Reuters.
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