Protesters Warned Over 'illegal' Chants And Banners

Police on Wednesday raised a new warning flag telling protesters they could be breaching Hong Kong's national security law which came into effect on Tuesday night.

"You are displaying flags or banners / chanting slogans / or conducting yourselves with an intent such as secession or subversion which may constitute offences under the HKSAR National Security Law," the flag warned.

Officers raised the purple flag in Causeway Bay where protesters had gathered in defiance of a police ban on a march.

Democratic Party legislator Andrew Wan was pepper-sprayed before being arrested. It wasn't clear whether or not the lawmaker had been detained under the new law.

Various political groups were seen removing banners they had set up in Causeway Bay's East Point Road.

Police issued a brief statement saying they had taken decisive action to tackle protesters who refused to heed their warning to leave the area.

A number of roads were closed.

The force had cited a risk of violence and the coronavirus pandemic in banning the traditional July 1 pro-democracy march this year.

But there had been calls online for people to gather regardless to protest against the city's new national security law.