Crowds Gather For Paper-burning Protest

Crowds of anti-extradition protesters gathered in Wong Tai Sin on Friday night to burn paper, a symbolic gesture close to the scene of Hong Kong's most famous temple.

The demonstration was called after police fired tear gas at protesters in the densely-packed Kowloon neighbourhood on Monday night. While only a dozen or so people began burning paper early in the evening, larger crowds gathered as the night continued, with paper seen scattered across the floor.

Earlier in the evening, police took the identity card numbers of people gathered in the area and searched their belongings, but made no attempt to stop their activities.

Later, as more crowds gathered, a group of police in riot gear carrying shields lined up outside the Wong Tai Sin Disciplined Services Quarters, across the road from where the protesters were carrying out their activities.

Many protesters began to leave shortly before 1am after police displayed a blue flag warning people that they were taking part in an illegal assembly.

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