Hong Kong police fired tear gas after protesters gathered in Causeway Bay to rally against the looming national security law announced earlier this week by Beijing.
Photo: Tam Ming Keung/United Social Press.
Thousands of demonstrators convened at SOGO department store in Causeway Bay at around 1pm on Sunday and began marching to Wan Chai’s Southorn Playground.
Photo: Benjamin Yuen, Cezzna, Jimmy Lam/United Social Press.
In response, police fired tear gas at the crossroads of Hennessy Road and Percival Street, and near the Hysan Place mall.
HKFP_Live: Hong Kong protesters are gathered in Causeway Bay in opposition to the national security law. Police have detained activist Tam Tak-chi. Posted by Hong Kong Free Press HKFP on Saturday, 23 May 2020
It was the largest protests since the Covid-19 outbreak, despite social distancing rules – limiting groups to eight people – remaining in place.
Demonstrators chanted “Free Hong Kong,” and “Hong Kong independence is the only way out,” during the largest march since the Covid-19 outbreak.
Such slogans could become illegal when the national security law – which is likely to target secession, subversion, and terrorism – kicks in.
Riot police earlier raised blue banners calling on protesters to disperse after arresting People Power Vice-chair Tam Tak-chi.
Masked protesters smashed the windows of fashion boutique A Bathing Ape – belonging to Hong Kong conglomerate I.T, whose owner is accused of being pro-Beijing. Demonstrators pulled mannequins out from its window display, using them as makeshift roadblocks.
An I.T. store was also targeted.
Protesters smash windows at the I.T. fashion store, protesters nearby accuse the brand's owner of being pro-Beijing. pic.twitter.com/E38YQ382eH — Hong Kong Free Press HKFP (@HongKongFP) May 24, 2020
Along Hennessy Road police deployed the water cannon truck, which struck nearby journalists, as well as along Canal Road underneath the flyover.
The force arrested at least 180 people, mostly in connection with allegedly participating in an illegal assembly, according to a police statement.
“[A] large group of rioters set barricades on Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay with miscellaneous objects, including rubbish bins, bamboo sticks and stones. Rioters climbed over railings and dashed through a flyover and multiple carriageways in the vicinity, causing serious obstruction to road traffic. They also rampaged through passing vehicles, posing serious threat to public safety,” a police press release said.
Officers said protesters attacked a 41-year-old man and a woman in separate incidents relating to makeshift barricades, according to RTHK.
Police set up cordon lines in Causeway Bay after firing tear gas HKFP_Live: Police have set up cordons around Causeway Bay after earlier firing tear gas. Posted by Hong Kong Free Press HKFP on Saturday, 23 May 2020
Sha Tin District Councillor Raymond Li was also arrested under the Canal Road Flyover in Causeway Bay, according to his Facebook page.
According to the Hospital Authority, as of 6pm, a total of six people – two men and four women – were sent to Ruttonjee Hospital after feeling unwell or being injured at Sunday’s protest.
A 51-year-old woman is in a critical condition. Two men and two women are in a stable condition, while one woman has been discharged.
Bloodstained clothes found near Times Square’s emergency exit.. Photo: Sam Lee/United Social Press.
Cat-and-mouse chases between police and demonstrators continued throughout the afternoon but eased as night fell.
Causeway Bay: Police sweep into the Times Square area, arrest a young man and threaten the press with pepper spray. pic.twitter.com/DVaIS0Zvyu — Hong Kong Free Press HKFP (@HongKongFP) May 24, 2020
Protesters have shifted their focus from the national anthem bill to the national security law after the National People’s Congress decided to draft a law that may be inserted into the annex of the city’s mini-constitution.
The pro-democracy camp raised concerns, calling it the “death of Hong Kong,” and the end of One Country, Two Systems.
More demonstrations are set for Wednesday when the national anthem bill is set to arrive at the legislative main chamber.
Anne-Account on May 24th, 2020 at 06:14 UTC »
A decade or so ago, a million protesters were able to march for independence peacefully; now they are faced with teargas, and God knows what will come after the teargas, for standing up for their rights.
I know it is a “domestic” issue for China, but surely other countries can’t standby and watch this happen.
autotldr on May 24th, 2020 at 06:01 UTC »
This is the best tl;dr I could make, original reduced by 60%. (I'm a bot)
Extended Summary | FAQ | Feedback | Top keywords: Police#1 protest#2 national#3 law#4 public#5
ymcatar0 on May 24th, 2020 at 05:50 UTC »
Using violence to forcibly disperse a marching crowd, so that the media could not take a photograph to show a widespread opposition of the national security law. They'll then claim that the CCP's plan to append new laws to the Hong Kong law without passing through HKlegislative council is supported by the "silent majority" ...