In Hong Kong, a protest boom for some businesses starts waning

FILE PHOTO: Protesters protect themselves with helmets and masks during a demonstration to demand Hong Kong's leaders step down and withdraw an extradition bill, in Hong Kong, China June 21, 2019. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu File Photo

HONG KONG (Reuters) - John Lam's safety equipment shop has been spared the global downdraft shaking Hong Kong's economy. In times of crisis, businesses providing basic necessities tend to fare better.

In Lam's case, that means hard hats, filtered masks, goggles and other gear that millions of anti-government protesters taking to the streets in the past two months bought to protect themselves as clashes with police turned increasingly violent.