[ad_1]
HONG KONG: Hong Kong police were in force on Thursday (October 1), China’s National Day holiday, detaining and searching people on the streets of a popular business district after calls were made online to urge people to participate in protests.
The National Day, which celebrates the founding of the People’s Republic of China, has become a day of protest in Hong Kong by those opposed to Beijing’s growing control of the city.
Small groups of protesters gathered in the popular Causeway Bay shopping district, although they were outnumbered by police.
READ: Families fear for Hong Kong fugitives in Chinese custody
Protesters hold up five fingers, meaning “Five Demands and Not One Less” as they march in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, on Oct. 1, 2020. (Photo: AP / Kin Cheung)
Police verify the credentials of a pedestrian in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, on Oct.1, 2020 (Photo: AP / Kin Cheung)
Social distancing restrictions due to COVID-19 meant that large-scale protests are not authorized. Shoppers and passers-by broke into chants sporadically, but there were no signs of large crowds.
“It’s China’s National Day, but this is Hong Kong’s day of death,” said Jay, a woman dressed in black, the city’s protest garb, as she passed police.
“The people of Hong Kong are under a lot of pressure, but we have to keep fighting for freedom.”
READ: Carrie Lam says Hong Kong cannot demand protection of the rights of 12 arrested by China
A family is diverted by police as a precautionary measure during China’s National Day in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, on October 1, 2020 (Photo: AP / Kin Cheung)
Pedestrians walk past police standing guard during China’s National Day in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, on Oct. 1, 2020 (Photo: AP / Kin Cheung)
In the afternoon, the police cordoned off certain areas of the district and searched several people on the streets. A group of protesters chanted slogans including “Dissolve the police,” and the police unfurled their blue warning banner urging protesters to disperse, otherwise force could be used.
Protests against the Hong Kong and mainland Chinese governments increased last year, and Beijing sought to stifle anti-government sentiment in the city with a national security law that took effect on June 30.
COMMENT: The future of Hong Kong is clearly in China
Police officers extinguish a fire in Hong Kong on October 1, 2020 (Photo: AP / Kin Cheung)
Activists are surrounded by police officers as they march to a flag-raising ceremony in Hong Kong on Oct. 1, 2020 (Photo: AP / Kin Cheung).
The law prohibits subversive, secessionist and terrorist activity in Hong Kong, as well as collusion with foreign powers to interfere in the internal affairs of the city. The United States and Britain accuse China of infringing the city’s freedoms, and the United States has imposed sanctions on government officials in Hong Kong and China by law.
Earlier in the day, Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam attended a flag-raising ceremony with other top Hong Kong and mainland officials at an exhibition center surrounded by police and security barriers.
READ: Is democracy in Hong Kong dull forever?
Hong Kong Executive Director Carrie Lam attends a flag-raising ceremony in Golden Bauhinia Square to mark the 71st anniversary of China’s National Day in Hong Kong on October 1, 2020 (Photo: AP / Vincent Yu).
Hong Kong Executive Director Carrie Lam attends a flag-raising ceremony in Golden Bauhinia Square to mark the 71st anniversary of Chinese National Day in Hong Kong on October 1, 2020 (Photo: AP / Vincent Yu ).
“In the past three months, the plain truth is, and it is obvious to see, that stability has been restored to society while safeguarding national security, and our people can continue to enjoy their basic rights and freedoms,” Lam said. .
Lam also accused some foreign governments of maintaining “double standards” and making unjustified accusations against the authorities implementing the new law.
