In response to the serious illegal protests and violent activities across the territory yesterday (August 5), a spokesman for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government said the following:

     Advocating strikes and the so-called "unco-operative movement", protesters deliberately blocked the Cross Harbour Tunnel and major trunk roads such as Lung Cheung Road, disrupted train services and caused trouble at various MTR stations yesterday morning, seriously affecting a lot of people's commute to work during peak hours. It was even found that some objects were put on the tracks, risking the safety of train operation and passengers.

    In the afternoon, illegal blockage of roads by the protesters spread across the territory and they, in an organised manner, charged the Central Government Offices and police stations in multiple districts, vandalised police vehicles, attacked police officers and committed arson. After nightfall, protesters once again removed a national flag from the flag pole and threw it into the sea, blatantly challenging the national authority. The protesters' organised acts disregarded the law and order, deprived the right of other members of the public to go to work and carry on their daily lives, and seriously affected economic activities. The incrementally spreading and rapidly escalating violence is outrageous, and is pushing Hong Kong to the verge of a very dangerous situation. The HKSAR Government strongly condemns the protesters' acts.

     The HKSAR Government is grateful to the civil servants and public service providers for their dedication to work, enabling the normal operation of public services in general and minimising disruptions to public transport yesterday. The Government also thanks people from all walks of life for standing fast at their posts. We once again appeal to all members of the public who cherish and love Hong Kong to work together with the HKSAR Government to combat violence, uphold the rule of law and restore social order as soon as possible.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) today (August 5) announced that, due to mass gathering activities in various districts, the following facilities have been closed.
 
Hong Kong Island
1. Central & Western District:
All leisure and sports facilities , Shek Tong Tsui Public Library, Smithfield Public Library, City Hall Public Library, Hong Kong City Hall and Sheung Wan Civic Centre

2. Eastern District:
Java Road Sports Centre

3. Wan Chai District:
Victoria Park Swimming Pool, leisure and sports facilities in Victoria Park, Causeway Bay Sports Ground and Hong Kong Central Library 
 
Kowloon
1. Kwun Tong District:
Ngau Chi Wan Public Library and Ngau Chi Wan Civic Centre

2. Wong Tai Sin District:
Hammer Hill Road Swimming Pool, Hammer Hill Road Sports Ground, Choi Hung Road Sports Centre, Choi Hung Road Badminton Centre, Morse Park Sports Centre, Morse Park soccer pitches, Lok Fu Recreation Ground soccer pitch and Lung Hing Public Library
 
3. Yau Tsim Mong District:
Kowloon Park Sports Centre, Kowloon Park Swimming Pool, Fa Yuen Street Sports Centre, Boundary Street Sports Centre No. 1, Boundary Street Sports Centre No. 2, Kwun Chung Sports Centre, Boundary Street Recreation Ground soccer pitch, Fa Yuen Street Public Library, Yau Ma Tei Public Library, Hong Kong Cultural Centre and Yau Ma Tei Theatre
 
New Territories
1. Islands District 
Tung Chung Swimming Pool, Tung Chung Man Tung Road Sports Centre, Tung Chung Public Library and Cheung Chau Public Library 

2. Kwai Tsing District 
North Kwai Chung Public Library 

3. Sha Tin District:
Sha Tin Jockey Club Swimming Pool, Sha Tin Sports Ground, Yuen Wo Road Sports Centre, Sha Tin Jockey Club Public Squash Courts, Sha Tin Public Library and Sha Tin Town Hall
 
4. Tai Po District:
All leisure and sports facilities, Tai Po Public Library and Tai Po Civic Centre
 
5. Tsuen Wan District:
Tsuen King Circuit Sports Centre, Wai Tsuen Sports Centre, Yeung Uk Road Sports Centre, Tsuen Wan Sports Centre, Shing Mun Valley Swimming Pool, Tsuen King Circuit Wu Chung Swimming Pool, Tsuen Wan Public Library and Tsuen Wan Town Hall 

6. Yuen Long District:
Leisure and culture facilities in Ping Shan Tin Shui Wai Cultural and Leisure Services Building

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) today (August 5) announced that, due to mass gathering activities in various districts, the following facilities have been closed.
 
Hong Kong Island
1. Central & Western District:
All leisure and sports facilities , Shek Tong Tsui Public Library, Smithfield Public Library, City Hall Public Library, Hong Kong City Hall and Sheung Wan Civic Centre

2. Eastern District:
Java Road Sports Centre

3. Wan Chai District:
Victoria Park Swimming Pool, leisure and sports facilities in Victoria Park, Causeway Bay Sports Ground and Hong Kong Central Library 
 
Kowloon
1. Kwun Tong District:
Ngau Chi Wan Public Library and Ngau Chi Wan Civic Centre

2. Wong Tai Sin District:
Hammer Hill Road Swimming Pool, Hammer Hill Road Sports Ground, Choi Hung Road Sports Centre, Choi Hung Road Badminton Centre, Morse Park Sports Centre, Morse Park soccer pitches, Lok Fu Recreation Ground soccer pitch and Lung Hing Public Library
 
3. Yau Tsim Mong District:
Kowloon Park Sports Centre, Kowloon Park Swimming Pool, Fa Yuen Street Sports Centre, Boundary Street Sports Centre No. 1, Boundary Street Sports Centre No. 2, Kwun Chung Sports Centre, Boundary Street Recreation Ground soccer pitch, Fa Yuen Street Public Library, Yau Ma Tei Public Library, Hong Kong Cultural Centre and Yau Ma Tei Theatre
 
New Territories
1. Islands District 
Tung Chung Swimming Pool, Tung Chung Man Tung Road Sports Centre, Tung Chung Public Library and Cheung Chau Public Library 

2. Kwai Tsing District 
North Kwai Chung Public Library 

3. Sha Tin District:
Sha Tin Jockey Club Swimming Pool, Sha Tin Sports Ground, Yuen Wo Road Sports Centre, Sha Tin Jockey Club Public Squash Courts, Sha Tin Public Library and Sha Tin Town Hall
 
4. Tai Po District:
All leisure and sports facilities, Tai Po Public Library and Tai Po Civic Centre
 
5. Tsuen Wan District:
Tsuen King Circuit Sports Centre, Wai Tsuen Sports Centre, Yeung Uk Road Sports Centre, Tsuen Wan Sports Centre, Shing Mun Valley Swimming Pool, Tsuen King Circuit Wu Chung Swimming Pool, Tsuen Wan Public Library and Tsuen Wan Town Hall 

6. Yuen Long District:
Leisure and culture facilities in Ping Shan Tin Shui Wai Cultural and Leisure Services Building

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

Please broadcast the following message as soon as possible and repeat it at suitable intervals:
 
     A large group of protestors are blocking roads extensively and setting fire to miscellaneous objects, posing a serious threat to the safety of the road users at scene.  The protestors are surrounding and attacking various police stations and the adjacent Disciplined Services Quarters, hurling igniting objects and hard objects, making damages to the premises. 
 
     The Police strongly condemn the violent acts and warn the protestors to stop all illegal acts immediately.  Police is using minimum force to disperse the protestors.
 

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

Please broadcast the following message as soon as possible and repeat it at suitable intervals:

     The report room services of North Point Police Station are now temporarily suspended. Police appeal to members of the public not to obstruct the emergency vehicles access so as to avoid affecting the emergency services provided to the public. In case of emergency, please call 999.