The Chinese and HK government's have realized they've lost the culture wars and public opinion so they've resorted to the tried and tested handibook of authorit

The Chinese and HK government's have realized they've lost the culture wars and public opinion so they've resorted to the tried and tested handibook of authoritarian governments, to create a cycle of violence to create justification for cracking down. This is a provocation. Protesters will now counter arm themselves with similar bats and sticks, which in turn will give the police extra justification when they uncover "weapons". It will be used by the Chinese domestic media as justification to crack down hard.