Hong Kong police supporters turn out in force to counter extradition bill protests, but clash with rivals and assault journalists
- Organisers say 165,000 join counter protest – police put number at 53,000
- Multiple confrontations reported, as well as abuse and harassment of journalists
Tens of thousands of government supporters took to the streets of Hong Kong on Sunday, marching to counter opponents of the now-suspended extradition bill and to show solidarity with the city’s embattled police force.
Organisers put the turnout at government headquarters at 165,000 on the eve of the July 1 anniversary of Hong Kong’s handover to China, for which officials have scaled back celebrations and locked down the venue to head off protesters still demanding the complete withdrawal of the unpopular bill.
The police estimate was lower at 53,000 during the peak, as demonstrators gathered in the afternoon at Tamar Park, near the city’s administrative and legislative centre, chanting slogans and waving placards backing police over their handling of protests over the past weeks.
Some were waving China’s national flag and shouting support for the bill and the government’s failed push to have it fast-tracked through the legislature.
They condemned an ongoing hate campaign against frontline officers by those accusing them of using excessive force during clashes with protesters on June 12, and thanked them for showing restraint when their headquarters came under siege twice in a week.
There were multiple confrontations as the rally-goers ran into small groups of anti-bill protesters wearing black, getting into abusive verbal arguments as well as physical scuffles with them.
One of those protesting against the bill, 22-year-old construction worker Yin Kwok, said he found himself surrounded by demonstrators who physically attacked him before officers dragged him out of the crowd.
We are shocked that our reporters have been targeted and subjected to such abuse by the demonstrators today
The opposing sides ended up facing each other in a tense stand-off while police kept them apart.
Officers also had to step in when pro-police demonstrators targeted journalists on multiple occasions, swearing at reporters and even attempting to manhandle them.
Journalists ‘insulted, spat on, kicked’ at Hong Kong pro-police rally
“We are shocked that our reporters have been targeted and subjected to such abuse by the demonstrators today,” said Tammy Tam, the Post’s editor-in-chief.
“Our journalists are professionals, doing their job in very difficult circumstances. It is unacceptable that they were targeted and harassed in this manner. This abhorrent behaviour towards the media should be condemned by all of Hong Kong.”
The Hong Kong Journalists Association said demonstrators had spat at media professionals, splashed water on them and physically assaulted them.
The rally, initiated by pro-Beijing lawmaker Junius Ho Kwan-yiu, kicked off with speeches by the government’s political allies as well as former top police brass.
They are insane. They are insulting the professional judgement of our police chief
Former police chief Tang King-shing went on stage to say he was “disheartened that the efforts of Hong Kong police, which are the best in Asia, have been completely disregarded”.
“Sir, madam, we support you! Sir, madam, thank you!” he led the crowd in shouting, using the honorifics that Hongkongers address police officers with.
Former deputy police commissioner Peter Yam Tat-wing rejected anti-bill protesters’ demand for the government to retract its characterisation of the June 12 clashes as “rioting”.
Convention centre closed over fears protesters will disrupt handover ceremony
“They are insane. They are insulting the professional judgement of our police chief. It was obviously a riot … and it is impossible for such references to be retracted,” he said.
Veteran Canto-pop star Alan Tam Wing-lun and top actor Tony Leung Ka-fai were among those attending the rally.
“I think there will be no cure for Hong Kong if this goes on,” Alan Tam said, lamenting the targeting of police officers by protesters. “No one in the world has ever seen law enforcement officers attacked like that.”
Wilson Lo Kwok-fai, a 65-year-old logistics worker, said he was attending because he felt police had been unfairly treated for doing their jobs.
“I think they used too little force,” Lo said. “They were being attacked by protesters with bricks and metal rods.”
Another supporter, Magie Tse, said she was out to condemn the behaviour of protesters she saw on television.
“By no means should police be treated with violence. I don’t know anything about the extradition bill. So I won’t comment on it,” she said.
Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor and other dignitaries are expected to attend a scaled-back flag-raising ceremony at Golden Bauhinia Square at 8am on Monday, followed by a cocktail reception at the Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai.
With protesters planning to target the celebrations, thousands of riot police were on standby, while an unprecedented security blanket was thrown over the venue.
Organisers of the annual July 1 march were hoping to draw massive numbers again to urge Lam to completely withdraw the extradition bill, which would have allowed the transfer of criminal suspects to mainland China and other jurisdictions with which Hong Kong has no fugitive deal.
Additional reporting by Phila Siu and Su Xinqi
