Pro-police Groups Confront Protesters, Journalists

People attending a pro-police rally in Tamar Park have harassed and, in some cases, attacked anti-extradition campaigners gathered outside the Legislative Council complex, as well as journalists covering the rally.

Some participants in the rally were seen hurling expletives and shouting slogans including "Chinese traitors" at a group of black-clad people opposed to the government's extradition amendments.

Protesters tore down posters and artwork put up by anti-extradition campaigners, including the so-called "Lennon Wall" of sticky notes outside the Legco building and tributes set up to a protester who plunged to his death in Admiralty on June 15.

Democratic Party lawmaker Lam Cheuk-ting was attacked by dozens of demonstrators on a bridge near the government headquarters. Videos of the scuffle saw him being slapped in the face, and his glasses almost fell off. Someone used an umbrella to hit him as he was pushed towards the side of the bridge.

Lam called the police and went to hospital for treatment, reporting what he called minor injuries.

Videos posted on social media showed police supporters grabbing and shoving anti-extradition campaigners. One female journalist was asked why "she wasn't a prostitute instead" of being a reporter.

Police say a 61-year-old woman has been arrested for allegedly assaulting two reporters at the pro-police rally. The journalists were treated in hospital for neck and leg injuries. Separately, a 72-year-old man was arrrested for common assault, after he allegedly hurt a woman on a footbridge near the government headquarters.

Other journalists covering the rally, including RTHK staff, were spat on, had mud thrown at them, and were obstructed, shouted at and manhandled by pro-police groups. RTHK has issued a statement condemning the obstruction of its staff.

The News Executives Association, the Journalists Association and the Press Photographers Association have all issued statements strongly condemning the attack of journalists at the scene.

Organisers put the number of people attending the pro-police rally at 165,000, while police said the peak number of participants was at 53,000.

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