Protesters, Police Scuffle In Causeway Bay Area

Police scuffled with protesters in the Causeway Bay area on Wednesday as scores of demonstrators gathered to raise slogans against the national anthem bill and the new security law that Beijing is planning to impose in the city.

Protesters had assembled inside the Hysan Place mall at lunchtime as police maintained a tight security in nearby areas.

As some protesters moved to Times Square, police confronted them resulting in arguments and shouting matches. Police were seen detaining two youngsters dressed in black in the area as tensions soared.

Dozens of people were then corralled onto a pavement outside Hysan Place and ordered to sit on the floor by officers. Police then checked the ID of these people and some were allowed to leave.

A large number of riot police officers were on guard at Hennessy Road near Jardine Street, and they intercepted many young passers-by to search their belongings. 

Many police vehicles were also parked outside the Sogo Department Store in the popular shopping district.

Earlier a group of people belonging to the League of Social Democrats shouted slogans outside Admiralty Centre and were immediately confronted by riot police who forced them to disperse.

Police said they have arrested 16 people aged 14 to 40 as of 11:30am. They said the suspects were detained on suspicion of possession of offensive weapons, tools for illegal use, dangerous driving and so on.

At a school in Shek Kip Mei, some students raised a banner containing anti-government protesters’ demands, as secondary three to five pupils returned to school after months of closures due to the coronavirus outbreaks.

The principal of the school said the students had not sought permission for their action beforehand, but said there would be no punishment for them.

The school said it believes that students should not bring politics to campus, but it isn't worried that the authorities will counsel them over the matter.