Shoppers Caught In Police Cordon Slam Tactics

Some shoppers caught up in the police cordons at Causeway Bay on Thursday aired their frustration at tactics of the officers, saying they are stopping people who were out to enjoy the mid-autumn holiday break.

There was a heavy police presence in the shopping district from early afternoon and at times, they cordoned off the busy East Point road and asked the people to stay on the footpath.

Former lawmaker Ray Chan who was distributing free face masks was asked to leave the area while officers surrounded a man who arrived in the area with a yellow balloon.

Though large groups of protesters were not visible anywhere, police officers stopped and searched many people who were there.

A woman shopper, who gave her name as Chan, said it’s unreasonable for the police to ask people to leave the shopping area when people are supposed to go out and celebrate for the Mid-Autumn Festival and the National Day.

"Very uncomfortable. absolutely and very, extremely uncomfortable," she said.

"Today is supposed to be a day of celebrations, right? But it seems like they just want us to go home. I just finished my lunch and now it seems like we have to go home. No choice." she said.

Chan said the police were overreacting.

A woman surnamed Hui was one of those who ended up in the sudden police cordons, but she was let go after having her personal data recorded and bags searched.

She said she was just there for a facial appointment that day, and the experience has left her saddened and angry.

"I am so sad. Extremely angry of course. And it is so ridiculous," she said. "So upset for all Hong Kong citizens."

Police at one point cordoned off an area outside the Sogo shopping mall in Causeway Bay, and told journalists to leave.

Officers also spoke to a Caucasian man – via a loudhailer, in Chinese – that he should leave if he was not a journalist.