In response to the protests in various districts on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon yesterday (August 31), a Government spokesman said the following:

     Despite the issuance of a notice of objection by the police, a large number of people took part in unauthorised assembly and procession in various districts on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon yesterday, extensively blocking thoroughfares and paralysing traffic on Hong Kong Island, seriously affecting emergency services and people's daily living.

     The radical protesters confronted police in various areas, hurled numerous petrol bombs at the Central Government Offices in Tamar, the Legislative Council building and the Police Headquarters as well as in other places, and attacked police officers with corrosive liquid and bricks. The radical protesters set fires in different places, vandalised public property, set up barricades, and damaged facilities at MTR stations such as platform screen doors. The fire at Hennessy Road was very fierce at one point, posing serious danger. The behaviours of the radical protesters gravely breach the public peace and pose a serious threat to the safety of police officers on duty and members of the public at the scene.

     The illegal and violent acts of the radical protesters continue to escalate with no regard for the safety of members of the public. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government severely condemns these acts. The police shall strictly follow up on them. The HKSAR Government will continue to uphold the rule of law and appeals once again to members of the public to say no to violence together, so that order can be restored in society as soon as possible.

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

Please broadcast the following message as soon as possible and repeat it at suitable intervals:
 
     Radical protestors vandalised the customer service centre and damaged the ticket issuing machines inside MTR Mong Kok Station. Protestors also assaulted members of the public and damaged properties inside MTR Prince Edward Station.
      
     Upon receiving reports, Police entered the MTR stations to stop all violent acts and arrest offenders. Police appeal to everyone at scene to leave immediately.
      
     Police strongly condemn all violent acts by the protestors.

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

Please broadcast the following message as soon as possible and repeat it at suitable intervals:
 
     At around 10pm, some protestors were blocking carriageways at Nathan Road near Nelson Street in Mong Kok and Kwun Tong Road in Kwun Tong. They set up barricades with rubbish bins and miscellaneous objects, seriously paralysing the traffic. The Report Room services of Kwun Tong Police Station are now temporarily suspended.
      
     Police warn the protestors to stop their illegal acts and leave the scene immediately. Police also warn the protestors not to obstruct the emergency vehicle access. Drivers are advised to avoid travelling to the area and stay tuned to the latest traffic arrangement.
      
     Police remind the members of public in the area to stay tuned to the latest situation, keep their windows shut and stay indoors, if necessary. In case of emergency, please call 999.
      

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

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

     Radical protestors set fire and threw petrol bombs at Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui, posing a serious threat to the safety of everyone, including police officers at scene. Police deploy appropriate force to disperse the protestors. The Police warn protestors to stop any illegal acts and leave immediately.

     Police also remind the members of the public in the area to stay tuned to the latest situation, keep their windows shut and stay indoors, if necessary.

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

Please broadcast the following message as soon as possible and repeat it at suitable intervals:
 
     At around 9pm, some protestors blocked carriageways in Nathan Road near Park Lane Shopper's Boulevard in Tsim Sha Tsui, paralysing the traffic. The Report Room services of Tsim Sha Tsui Police Station are now temporarily suspended. Police warn the protestors to stop their illegal acts and leave the scene immediately.
      
     Drivers are advised to avoid travelling to the area and stay tuned to the latest traffic arrangement.