Denise Ho first celebrity to be arrested at protest site

Canto-pop singer Denise Ho Wan-see was arrested yesterday during the police clearance of Admiralty, making her the first Hong Kong celebrity to be hauled away for taking part in the pro-democracy movement.

A cultural critic said the arrest of a high-profile celebrity standing at the forefront of a pro-democracy battle was a symbolic moment as it sent a wake-up call to a society that has placed money on a higher priority than moral values and social justice.

Yesterday morning, Ho, a co-founder of Hong Kong Shield, a voluntary group supporting the student-led protests, joined the sit-in in Admiralty.

"I'll wait to be arrested. There's not much of a plan - just sit here," she said. "But this is part of my responsibility as an adult and celebrity, to fill the responsibility of civil disobedience."

She was eventually taken away by officers at about 4.47pm.

As she sat on the pavement, she was read her legal rights by a policewoman before being removed.