Seven local university student unions have issued statements condemning “police violence” and declaring their support for those who took part in the protests in Mong Kok on Monday evening.

Violent clashes between police and protesters erupted in Mong Kok led by localist groups angry with the government’s clearing of street hawkers.

On Wednesday, the Hong Kong University Students’ Union (HKUSU) issued a statement entitled “Forever we stand with the rebels”.

“Unarmed, they struggled against the violence and bloodshed of the police. Many are severely injured, with their situations unknown,” the declaration read. “Three schoolmates were also arrested and hurt, including the incoming Editor-In-Chief of the Undergrad, HKUSU who had been unreasonably arrested when reporting. We promise that we shall offer any possible assistance to the concerned students. We shall never turn our back on or leave them alone and unassisted.”

In a separate post, HKUSU alleged that the arrested students were stripped during a search and kicked in the back while in police detention. They were also reportedly not allowed to speak to their families, nor had paramedics been arranged to examine their injuries.

A ‘result of continuous oppression’

A Hong Kong Baptist University Students’ Union’s statement on Wednesday also condemned the government and the police. It said police unreasonably arrested protesters, beat up journalists and oppressed Hong Kong Indigenous members, who led the protests. “Between the high wall and the egg, we will always stand on the side of the egg,” it said.