Top Cop Stephen Lo Condemns Violent Clashes

Police Commissioner Stephen Lo on Monday condemned the violence that broke out following one of Hong Kong’s largest-ever mass rallies, which he said left at least three officers injured. Two suffered head wounds, while another hurt his leg, Lo said. He also noted that one journalist was injured.

Speaking to reporters after visiting his injured colleagues at Queen Mary Hospital, Lo said he “seriously condemns” the minority of protesters who have "destroyed Hong Kong’s tradition of peaceful protest."

Lo said while the mass rally from Victoria Park to the Legislative Council was peaceful by and large, some "radical protesters" chose to storm Legco later in the evening, using metal barriers to attack officers in the process. “This is not freedom of speech. This is not expressing opinions”, he said.

The top cop also urged any demonstrators who remain out on the streets to disperse peacefully, but vowed to bring all those responsible for the violent clashes to justice.

Lo said officers will comb through all available video evidence – including that shot by media organisations – to hunt down those who took part in the violence.

He also dismissed suggestions that the force was unprepared for the clashes, saying officers had made the necessary risk analysis ahead of time. He also said the force would be prepared for Wednesday, when the Legislative Council resumes its second reading of the extradition bill at the heart of the protests.