Police Siege Won't Lead To Clashes, Say Protesters

Hundreds of anti-extradition bill protesters on Sunday besieged the police's headquarters in Wan Chai once again, but people in the crowd said they were confident the move would not lead to any violence.

Protesters put up a banner on giant water-filled barriers erected outside the complex that read “Black cops, enemy of the people”, as well as other post-it memos criticising the force.

One of the protesters gathering in Arsenal Street, who gave her surname as Tsang, said she believed Hong Kong has now turned into a police state and officers have excessive powers.

She added that the barriers set up could only block communication between the government and the people.

Another protester, who gave her surname as Hui, said she didn’t expect any clashes within the next few hours as the march was still going on.

A few secondary school graduates, who said they had taken part in previous sieges of the police's headquarters, also said they didn't expect any clashes at the site this time. They said it would be impossible for people to climb through the barriers and such acts would mean they would be immediately arrested.

Some in the crowd were also seen shining lasers into the eyes of officers who were videotaping the protesters, but the officers appeared prepared for this and were wearing goggles.

The force's headquarters was besieged by extradition bill protesters twice last month with several arrests being made in connection with the protests.