Riot Police Deployed But No Signs Of Protests

Riot police were patrolling parts of Hong Kong on Friday afternoon including around the Sogo shopping mall in Causeway Bay, on the lookout for protesters after earlier calls online for gatherings in various districts.

Officers in riot gear were also on the streets of Tai Po, and the force had a large number of vehicles parked on Nathan Road in Mong Kok.

Police occasionally stopped people for ID checks. But they were not encountering any groups of demonstrators.

On social media channels popular with anti-government protesters, there was a debate underway as to whether the recent calls for Labour Day protest action had been genuine.

Some people said there was never any plan for demonstrations, while others said they thought the protest calls were a trap laid by the police.

The force had refused permission for a Labour Day march on Hong Kong Island, citing health risks due to the Covid-19 crisis.

Instead of protest action, people were encouraging each other to shop at "yellow" businesses known to support the ongoing anti-government movement.

There was a long queue of people outside a Taiwanese bubble tea stall in Causeway Bay which has its own "Lennon Wall".

One of the customers there, surnamed Lee, said she planned to spend money at another two or three "yellow" businesses later in the day, including a restaurant.

Another customer, surnamed Tong, said she is used to patronising businesses that support the protesters' cause, and with many firms struggling due to the coronavirus pandemic she said she hoped lots of people would come out to spend during the long weekend.

The Confederation of Trade Unions said instead of the march is was planning on Friday it was setting up street booths across the city. It also urged people to join a minute of slogan chanting at 5.01pm.

Later in the evening, a singing protest was also slated for 7.30pm at New Town Plaza in Sha Tin.

The police broke up similar events earlier this week, saying participants were flouting a pandemic rule banning public gatherings of more than four people.