Hundreds of Democrats took to the streets on Sunday to mark Hong Kong's election day, where they were met’ by a heavy police presence, which fired pepper spray and killed nearly 300 people. Arrested
It was the
largest gathering of protesters since China enacted a national security law, a
large set of anti-insurgency laws that the coalition of UN expert groups has
called for. There is a danger of human rights violations.
In July, the
Hong Kong government announced it was postponing the election of the
Legislative Council for a year because of the dangers posed by the new outbreak
of coronavirus in the city. However, the decision was met’ with sarcasm by
pro-democracy figures and opposition politicians, who accused the government of
using the epidemic property to delay the election, which could potentially
defeat it.
The decision
comes amid widespread arrests of pro-democracy figures, police raids on
newsrooms, and ongoing squabbles over dissent, including a cold snap on
teachers, the media, academics and politicians.
On Sunday,
hundreds of people rallied against the crackdown and the delay in their
democratic vote, initially gathering in Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok. Several
protesters also demanded the release of 12 people detained by the Chinese Coast
Guard as they tried to flee Taiwan by boat.
In response
to the crowd, which included a large contingent of media, police fired pepper
spray and raised warning flags. Several journalists were reportedly targeted by
police and threatened with arrest’ detained or sent home, even if the
journalist had press status. A video shared on social media shows officers in
clean clothes dragging a man to the ground.
The Hong
Kong Police Force said more than 290 people had been arrested by 9 p.m.,
including 270 on suspicion of illegal assembly, five in public and five for
failing to identify themselves. had gone.
Police had
earlier said that a woman had been arrested’ for chanting "promoting Hong
Kong's independence" under the National Security Act, but this was not
included in subsequent statements. Was
The
detainees include Chan, Raphael Wang Ho Ming and former lawmaker Leung Kwok Hung, according to the Facebook page of Figo China, deputy convener of the
Civil Human Rights Front activist group.
After widely
sharing a video on social media in which a group of police officers described
how a young school-age girl was dealt with and helped to thrive, the force
issued a statement in which “Concerns have been raised about the participation
of underage girls in prohibited groups. "
It said
police had stopped and searched for some people who refused to leave, including
a 12-year-old girl who had since escaped "suspiciously". He was
subsequently charged’ with violating epidemics at parties.
Police in
riot gear stormed a rally on Friday, removing hundreds of protesters by truck.
Police in riot gear stormed a rally on Friday, removing hundreds of protesters
by truck. A large group is reportedly violating national security law. He did
not say if anyone had been, arrested. Earlier on Sunday, police said 2,000
officers and water cannon vehicles would be on standby.
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