Riots broke out in the Mong Kok shopping district of Hong Kong following a police crackdown on illegal food vendors during the Lunar New Year festival. CNN reports that police attempts to prevent street vendors from selling food erupted into a riot that resulted in 54 arrests, and at least 94 injuries. The police also fired at least 2 warning shots at the rioters. Officials in Hong Kong reported that the police acted with admirable restraint, but the social media response to the riot was very critical. The riot occurred during a time of growing tensions between Hong Kong and the main Chinese government, and it is likely to exacerbate those tensions.
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