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An anti-mask ban in Hong Kong has failed to keep protesters from rioting in the streets, with some building a makeshift catapult seen as a triumph against authorities this weekend.

Hong Kong’s leader Carrie Lam hoped the ban would end the months of protests marked by escalating violence, but millions have taken to the streets in defiance, continuing to cover their faces.

It is understood the catapult was used on Sunday night, with videos finding their way onto social media yesterday.

The Hong Kong Free Press reported the catapult was made from bamboo scaffolding and was being used to launch bricks into the air, towards riot police.




It was stationed across a main intersection of roads in Mong Kok in the city, directly outside a HSBC building.

A protester setting fire to a barricade in the street during a stand off with police near the Mong Kok police station in Hong Kong (Picture: AFP)

Police fire tear gas in Mong Kok on October 7 (Picture: AFP)

Pro-democracy protesters set a barricade on fire at a main intersection in the city (Picture: Getty)

Protesters ignored a ban on wearing masks during marches this weekend (Picture: Getty)

A handful of masked protesters built the makeshift catapult, erected at one of the city’s many barricades.

Earlier in Mong Kok, a hard-core group of radicals threw Molotov cocktails at officers who have been firing back with tear gas and water cannon.

Last week officers fired gunshots for the first time at protesters, hitting two teenagers who were the first victims of police gunfire since the protests started.

The demonstrations started in June over a now-shelved extradition bill that would have allowed some criminal suspects to be sent to mainland China for trial but have since morphed into a larger anti-government movement.

Protesters say the bill is an example of Beijing’s increasing influence over Hong Kong, a former British colony, which was promised a high level of autonomy when it returned to Chinese rule in 1997.

Hong Kong police clearing the area following a standoff with protesters in Mong Kok (Picture: AFP)

Police holding down protesters (Picture: Getty)

A bloodied taxi driver who crashed during a demonstration on Sunday (Picture: AFP)

The violence in the streets began in June and show no sign of ceasing (Picture: AFP)

Enforcement of the mask ban began Saturday and Ms Lam said it was too early to call it a failure.

Two people have been charged with violating the mask ban so far, which is punishable by up to a year in jail and a fine upon conviction.

Critics fear the emergency law, which gives Ms Lam broad powers to implement any measures she deems necessary, could pave the way for more draconian moves.

Ms Lam said the government would make ‘careful assessment’ before imposing other measures under the law, such as internet controls.

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