PRIVATE PROPERTY WRECKED

From Wan Chai to Sha Tin, from Tsuen Wan to Tseung Kwan O, an increasing number of vandalism against personal property with greater ferocity have roiled Hong Kong in recent weeks, with black-clad and masked rioters stepping up the intensity of violence, intimidating those with different views, attacking individuals, smashing and torching stores, banks and cafes.

In their rampage, rioters also set up barricades and barriers to block roads at multiple locations, intercepted vehicles, or even blackmailed businesses because of their owners' different political views.

A 59-year-old taxi driver suffered critical injuries by a vigilante beating Sunday, as he lost control of the taxi after someone broke in and pulled on the steering wheel before hitting a woman in a car accident in Sham Shui Po, where an unauthorized procession was held.

Cheng, the driver, was then battered unconscious by the mob.

Earlier in July, another driver surnamed Chan had his newly bought van smashed and himself beaten up by rioters in Central, after he begged for a way out in an argument with a mob who had blocked roads and stranded vehicles for four hours.

In a post on his Facebook page after being doxxed, Ovadia, the journalist with 7News Australia, said he has received a flood of private messages in compliment for the unbiased coverage, but many said they don't want to fall victim to the angry mob either.

"If these people are truly fighting for democratic rights, they must observe their own principles," Ovadia said, "One has to wonder what sort of democracy they are trying to preserve."