Police Arrest Over 60 For Unauthorised Assembly

Police said they have arrested over 60 people after conducting a stop and search operation at Paterson Street as officers came out in force to prevent any protests on National Day in the busy Causeway Bay shopping area.

Officers had stopped and searched people at several points and raised a blue flag to warn against illegal gatherings several times as calls had gone out online to hold a protest against the detentions of 12 Hongkongers on the mainland.

The police raised their purple flag to warn people against breaking the newly enacted national security law when some chanted the popular 'Liberate Hong Kong' slogan of the pro-democracy protesters.

The slogan chanting continued sporadically, and police officers just suddenly cornered a group of people on Paterson Street. Media in the area were then asked to back away from the cordon.

After about an hour of checking the identity of the people, some were allowed to go. Then police then announced through a loudspeaker that they have arrested 46 men and 16 women for unauthorised assembly.

They were then handcuffed behind their back and taken away in two coaches. Among the arrested were district councillors Fergus Leung (Central and Western) and Shun Lee (Eastern District).

Police said as of 6pm, they have arrested 69 people for participating in unauthorised assemblies, possession of offensive weapon and other offences.

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