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Hong Kong police violently clashed with street food vendors and about a hundred of activists early Tuesday morning.
The clash was rapidly referred to as the “Fishball Revolution” in order to mock the authorities' attempt to remove the vendors from the streets.
Police officers used batons and pepper spray, and fired “warning shots” in the air, a police spokesperson confirmed. Protesters responded to police violence by throwing glass bottles and ceramic pots at them and setting fire to trash cans.
The access to the subway was temporarily suspended in the area where the confrontations took place.
"To ensure public safety and public order, police took resolute actions, including using baton and pepper spray, to stop the unlawful violent acts," police said in a statement.
Apparently, the unrest that took place in the streets of Mong Kok, a working-class district, was exploited by other groups who clashed with authorities, including a group called the Hong Kong Indigenous, which is a radical and loyalist movement created last year.
ANALYSIS: What's Really Going on in Hong Kong?
During the riots, the HKI announced on Facebook that its candidate for the upcoming Legislative Council, Edward Leung Tin-kei, would be marching in the Mong Kok night market, and called on supporters to join with eye masks, face masks and protective gear.
Police also said three men aged 27 to 35 were arrested for assaulting a police officer and obstructing police. Three police officers were injured as well.
However, according to Reuters, local media reported at least 24 arrests.
WATCH: Hong Kong Protesters Clash with Police
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