Police Move In As Protesters Block Roads In Central

Riot police used pepper spray and appeared to have fired pepper balls on Tuesday night to disperse hundreds of protesters who briefly occupied multiple roads in Central – marking one year since a massive march kicked off months of anti-extradition demonstrations.

Police say at least 53 people were arrested after crowds surged onto to the streets over a wide area in Central, from Ice House Street to Queen Victoria Street, bringing traffic chaos to the area in the evening rush hour.

Past 8pm, riot police confronted a group of protesters who had been slowly advancing on a police cordon at Des Voeux Road Central near Queen Victoria Street. Officers gave chase as the protesters fled.

Reports from the scene say it appeared some officers fired pepper rounds, while one officer was filmed using pepper spray against people on the pavement.

At least one person was subdued, and an officer shoved an RTHK camera operator who was trying to film the scene.

For several hours, protesters led police on a cat-and-mouse chase, melting away as soon as they spotted officers approaching, only to regroup and re-appear elsewhere.

Many people were searched, and some taken away, as police warned people to leave. Officers raised blue warning flags on several occasions, saying the demonstrator's actions posed a great risk to public safety.

Officers also repeatedly warned people milling around that they risk being found in violation of the government's ban on public gatherings of more than eight people -- a measure aimed at preventing the spread of coronavirus.

The force said they seized umbrellas, paint thinner and empty bottles from a bridge on Jubilee Street. "Are these ordinary items a protester would bring to a protest?" a spokesman asked in a social media post.

Hundreds of people had gathered at Chater Park earlier in the evening in response to online calls for a rally to mark one year since a peaceful anti-extradition march, when organisers estimated one million people took to the streets.

Others said they wanted to demonstrate now because they feared it would become impossible in future when Beijing implements its proposed national security law for the SAR.

"Our government didn't do anything regarding our demands, but actually the noise and awareness internationally have been increased and I think that's a good thing," said one protester, Jeremy, in Chater Garden.

Another demonstrator, Mary, wondered if this could be her last protest, saying she's worried that any display of dissent could become illegal under the looming security law.

“In the past we still have the change to take [our grievances] to the streets, to shout slogans, but now we can’t even do that legally, so… that’s why I feel I should make use of this chance to be voicing out my concerns and my opinions”, she said.

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