China Underground > China News > Pro-democracy protesters gathering in malls across Hong Kong chanting slogans as riot police quash plans to hold a march before it began

Pro-democracy protesters gathering in malls across Hong Kong chanting slogans as riot police quash plans to hold a march before it began

Last Updated on 2020/05/10

Hundreds of protesters gathered in Hong Kong malls chanting slogans and songs as police quash the planned demonstration before it even began.

These are the first signs of the resumption of the pro-democratic movement’s activities in Hong Kong after the entry into force of the security measures against the coronavirus epidemic.

The protest, dubbed “Mother’s Day outing” to coincide with the holiday, was meant to start in Tsim Sha Tsui according to the program that appeared online.

Dozens of officers in riot gear  began patrolling the streets, intercepting those who passed by, including members of the press and specialized personnel in first aid.

Earlier in the week, the local government banned the demonstration due to the social distancing measures required by the coronavirus pandemic.

The demonstration had been canceled Wednesday by activists on Telegram.

According to Hong Kong Free Press, around 2:30 in the afternoon, the police started to extend a cordon around the Star Ferry pier.

The crowd then began to back away from the nearby Harbor City shopping mall, raising their hands in the name of “Five questions, not one less”, and chanting slogans such as “Liberate Hong Kong, the revolution of our times”.

In the meantime, the situation in other shopping centers has also become more heated.

At the MOKO mall in Mong Kok, police fired pepper ball projectiles in response to a bottle thrown from above, according to RTHK.

A 12-year-old girl was arrested, while another thirteen-year-old student journalist was taken away.

According to local police forces, their intervention was necessary after a few complaints and was requested in the name of the rules of social distancing.

Hong Kong police demanded all journalists to switch off their cameras and to sit down while being threatened with pepper spray.

Roy Kwong Chun-yu, Legislative Councilor, has been arrested.

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