Large Crowds Hold Memorials To Mourn UST Student

Tens of thousands of people gathered across Hong Kong on Friday night to pay tribute to the university student who died in the morning, four days after suffering critical injuries from an apparent fall near protest clashes in Tseung Kwan O.

One of the largest gatherings was at the Sheung Tak car park in Tseung Kwan O, which was packed full of mourners waiting patiently in long snaking queues leading all the way from the car park to the streets outside.

At the spot where Chow Tsz-lok was found, people folded paper cranes, laid flowers, lit candles, and left messages of support, pledging to find out the truth of how he died.

They also observed a minute of silence to honour the 22-year-old computer science major.

Some people at the scene dismissed assurances from the police that officers had nothing to do with Chow’s death, insisting that the force are to blame for Chow’s untimely passing.

“We don’t believe the police have a fair investigation of this case because every day, they lie on TV. It’s meaningless. It’s not possible to find the truth of this incident. They are only doing something to cover their faults”, a resident calling herself Mary said.

Large crowds also gathered in Central, Causeway Bay, Tsim Sha Tsui, Sha Tin, Kwun Tong and Tuen Mun to remember Chow.

They chanted slogans condemning police brutality, and called for a territory-wide strike on Monday to express their discontent with the government.

Some of protesters occupied roads and blocked traffic, while others vandalised a telephone booth and an MTR station exit in Mong Kok.

Protesters also blocked roads in Mong Kok, Shatin, Tuen Mun, and Causeway Bay – where at least one person was subdued after scuffles with riot police.

The MTR closed down the Sai Wan Ho, Causeway Bay, Sha Tin, Tsuen Wan, Mong Kok, Tseung Kwan O, Ma On Shan and Whompoa stations after 9pm due to an “escalation of a situation”. All light rail services have also been suspended due to protests in Yuen long and Tuen Mun.

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