In Hong Kong, police fired tear gas Thursday evening to clear crowds of anti-authoritarian protesters who mingled with Halloween revelers in the city’s busiest nightlife district. The protesters used the holiday as a reason to once again defy a government ban on face masks — imposed last month as part of a widening crackdown on public assemblies. 

Masked protester: “I think if everyone here wears a mask, everyone can represent us. Hong Kong has a mask ban now, but our people will not yield to this ridiculous law.”

Economic data released Thursday show Hong Kong entered a recession in recent months, amid a violent response to protests that erupted in June. Another massive protest is being planned for Saturday.