Just Hours Later, Sha Tin Mall Is Back In Business

The calm and normal routine of shoppers going around returned to New Town Plaza in Sha Tin on Monday morning and the mall showed no signs of the chaos that had ruled the place just a few hours before.

The sight of shoppers strolling along and all the shops functioning almost looked surreal compared to the clashes that occurred between anti-extradition bill protesters and riot police on Sunday night. The violent confrontations saw over two dozen taken to hospital, trapped some shoppers in the mall, and left debris strewn all over the floor, though none of the shops were damaged.

But there was no sign of any of this on Monday morning.

Outside the mall, the situation was calm as workers cleared barricades and supplies left by protesters. Some bricks and pieces of wood were among the debris the workers came across. The ire of some of the protesters the night before was evident as most of the banners from the DAB in the vicinity had been damaged.

A unit of the Japanese restaurant chain, Yoshinoya, was another of their targets. It remained shut with windows and entrances still covered by wooden boards. Protesters have turned those boards into a “Lennon Wall”, posting hundreds of messages.

An 80-year-old Sha Tin resident, who gave her name as Chiuk, said she was annoyed by the protesters. She said they had disturbed the community.

Chiuk also said she was not scared by the riot police or radical protesters because she believes the Chinese armed forces will protect the citizens.

Meanwhile, a 30-year-old Sha Tin resident, who gave his name as Joey Cheung, said although he did not participate in the rally on Sunday, he understands and supports the protesters.

Cheung said he thinks the government has been ignoring the public’s concerns in the whole extradition saga, and this has forced people to be radical.

He questioned whether it was necessary for the police to use such force on Sunday night, causing bloodshed. He said he also hoped the government would face the public as soon as possible to end the chaos.

A 70-year-old Sha Tin resident, who refused to give her name, said she felt scared and upset by the chaos on Sunday night. She said she thinks the protesters were trying to create violent clashes and she does not want to see such a scene again.

Jenny Rimorlin, a Philippines citizen who has been living in Hong Kong for eight years, said she was worried when she saw the clashes on the news. She said she hoped everything will end soon and things will be back to normal.

Sam Hui who lives in Tai Wai, said he felt frightened after seeing the clashes between protesters and police.

The 18-year-old said all Hong Kong people should be aware of the existing social problems instead of saying it is none of their business.

Hui said he does not support any kind of violence and he hopes Hong Kong people will try to understand each others’ concerns.