Conflicts & War

90 arrested in Hong Kong protests against election delay

Hong Kong, Sep 6 (efe-epa).- At least 90 people were arrested in Hong Kong on Sunday in protests against a controversial security law and the postponement of elections.

Several groups met on the day the vote was due to take place in the neighborhoods of Kowloon and Mong Kok to express their opposition to the delay, according to local press reports.

Protesters chanted anti-government slogans and called for “independence from Chinese rule”, the South China Morning Post reported, in contravention of a controversial new security law imposed by Beijing.

Police shot rubber bullets at demonstrators in Mong Kok and arrested at least 90 people for illegal assembly.

Officers said some of the activists had built barricades to block traffic, posing a threat to passers-by.

Among those arrested was a woman accused of violating the new security law by broadcasting slogans promoting Hong Kong independence.

Three activists from the League of Social Democrats, Leung Kwok-hung, Raphael Wong Ho-ming and Figo Chan Ho-wun, were detained after raising a banner in front of the Eaton Hotel criticizing the government for postponing the elections, according to the South China Morning Post.

The demonstration did not draw massive attendance and was marked by a strong police presence with about 2,000 riot officers deployed in West Kowloon.

Superintendent Steve Li Kwai Wah of the Beijing-based police force previously warned that the demonstration was unauthorized and anyone who participated would be subject to the consequences.

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam announced on 3 August that the city’s legislative elections, originally scheduled for 6 September, would be been postponed for one year due to the “extreme health risk” posed by the coronavirus outbreak.

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