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Mong Kok riot
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The chiefs of the city’s 18 district councils issued a statement condemning the mayhem in Mong Kok. Photo: EPA

Lawless, brutal, extreme – Hong Kong lawmakers condemn Mong Kok rioters

Democrat Albert Ho says violent acts cannot be tolerated, while leading pro-government legislator Tam Yiu-chung offers full support to police to bring perpetrators to justice

Tuesday morning’s Mong Kok mayhem was met with an outpouring of condemnation among parties across the political spectrum, although radical groups questioned police tactics.

Lawmakers also rushed to draw lines in the sand, distancing themselves from the localist instigators as they condemned the night-long riots that left dozens injured, including participants, policemen and journalists.

“Violent acts like throwing bricks, assaulting passers-by and journalists, as well as setting things on fire are acts we believe society will not tolerate or accept,” said Democratic Party lawmaker Albert Ho Chun-yan, deploring the “extreme acts”.

The Civic Party also condemned the use of violence and called for a thorough investigation.

Similar views were expressed by the pro- establishment camp, which slammed the night’s events for its “lawless” nature and “extreme brutality”.

“We condemn these acts and provide our full support to police to bring these rioters to justice as soon as possible,” said Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong legislator Tam Yiu-chung.

The chiefs of the city’s 18 district councils issued a statement condemning the events and called on the public to express their opinions on political issues in a “rational, healthy and non-violent” manner.

Some groups accused the police of using heavy handed tactics. At least one newspaper reporter was allegedly assaulted by police officers even after identifying himself as a member of the press.

They blatantly ignored the rule of law, challenged and attacked the law enforcement officers
Joint statement by four police staff associations

In a statement on Facebook, People Power, a radical party, condemned the police for firing two warning shots, saying this was not proper police protocol.

Youngspiration, a “third force” party forged during the Occupy movement, said the police posed “a tremendous threat to the freedom and safety of Hong Kong”. It went on to claim 2016 “shall be a year of resistance and change” and called upon “our brothers and sisters to defend our home, Hong Kong, by all means necessary”.

Hong Kong Indigenous, the localist group at the forefront of Tuesday’s unrest, said police would step up its use of force in the future and warned its followers that they had “reached a point of no return”.

A joint statement published by four police staff associations including the Police Inspectors’ Association and Junior Police Officers’ Association said it was “infuriated” about the events in Mong Kok. “They blatantly ignored the rule of law, challenged and attacked the law enforcement officers,” it read.

I can’t believe I’m seeing this – it’s crazy
Restaurant worker Kaki Tse

People who live and work Mong Kok said they just wanted to get on with their lives.

Sam Lau, 67, a security guard, said he was “very scared” when he learned about a riot so near to his workplace in Sai Yung Choi Street South. He thought police had been “too polite” to the rioters despite firing two warning shots.

Kaki Tse, 22, who lives in Cheung Sha Wan and was travelling to work in Mong Kok, said she was shocked to see such scenes in broad daylight.

“I was walking to the [restaurant I work at] and then saw these masked people throwing rocks and other objects,” she said. “I can’t believe I’m seeing this – it’s crazy.”

The government “strongly condemned” the protesters and Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying stood by the police tactics, saying the use of warning shots showed the force’s “maximum restraint”.

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