Police earlier issued the Letter of No Objection for the public procession held in Kwun Tong yesterday (August 24). However, some radical protestors deviated from the original route and obstructed roads, damaging lampposts and assaulting police officers. Police strongly condemn the protestors’ behaviours.
Starting from 2pm, a large number of protestors gathered in the vicinity of Wai Yip Street, Hoi Bun Road and Sheung Yuet Road in Kwun Tong and set up barricades with water-filled barriers, bamboo sticks and other objects paralysing traffic. Radical protestors used electric saws to damage a number of smart lampposts on Sheung Yuet Road, posing serious threat to the safety of people at scene and road users. Protestors also hurled hard objects and petrol bombs at police officers, causing damage to police vehicles and leg injuries to a reporter.
Since around 8pm, protestors gathered in Wong Tai Sin and Sham Shui Po. They blocked a number of roads including Lung Cheung Road and Yen Chow Street, aimed laser beams at Police officers and hurled bricks and hard objects at the Police cordon lines. Some violent protestors had arguments and scuffles with others in Sham Shui Po.
In view of the situation, Police began dispersal operation after repeated warnings issued to the protestors gathered in Kwun Tong, Wong Tai Sin and Sham Shui Po went futile. During the dispersal, Police used appropriate force to stop the violent acts by protestors.
During the operation, Police arrested 19 men and 10 women, aged 17 to 52, for offences including unlawful assembly, possession of offensive weapon and assaulting police officers.
Police strongly condemn the protestors’ behaviours which breached public peace. Police all along respect people’s rights and freedom to express views and facilitate all peaceful public events. Only when there were violent acts or illegal behaviours which endangered the safety of people at scene, Police would stop them by proportionate use of force to prevent the incidents from worsening. Police appeal to protestors to remain peaceful, rational and non-violent when participating in public events in order to maintain public safety and public order.
Follow this news feed: East Asia