Protesters Bring Public Services To A Standstill

Almost all offices located in the three major government buildings in Wan Chai were severely disrupted on Friday after anti-extradition bill protesters took their protests to Revenue Tower, Immigration Tower and Wanchai Tower.

As the number of protesters who started gathering outside the Legco complex started to grow in numbers, thousands of them started heading to the police headquarters in Wan Chai.

While a large crowd gathered there, another group unexpectedly headed to the location where some major offices and the District Court is located.

Some protesters entered Revenue Tower just before noon and occupied the lobby, chanting slogans and holding placards which said "Save Hong Kong". This caught many civil servants off-guard and some were prevented from returning to work after lunch.

One foreign lawyer, who said he was arguing a case at the District Court, expressed his annoyance at the situation.

"I am prosecuting on behalf of the region a fraud case ... at the District Court," said Maurice Peter Tracy. "At the moment, like many other people, I am unable to return to work because of these students deciding to have a party to celebrate something which I don't understand at all," he said.

Asked if the protesters were demanding something that was sensible, he said: “I am a guest here in China. It is not for me to comment."

A man who tried to renew his working visa at the Immigration Department also said his schedule was disrupted.

“I am trying to get my work extension done and if I don’t pick it up today I will be in trouble. It’s kind of inconvenient but I also understand the situation. I mean I understand them, but I would welcome it more if it was on Saturday or Sunday,” he said.

But in a statement, the Immigration Department said its services had not been affected. The spokesman also asked those waiting for their applications processed to be patient and assured that all work will be done as quickly as possible.