Hong Kong protests: the store that supplies protective gear to demonstrators in their face-off against police
- The fifth pop-up storefront of National Disaster Hardware Shop in Sai Ying Pun was closed on Monday after police arrested its eight employees
- Its employees were accused of supplying ‘offensive weapons’, but a local wonders whether it has become illegal to buy or sell tools in Hong Kong
Tucked in an alley in Sai Ying Pun is the latest pop-up storefront for the National Disaster Hardware Shop, specialising in protective gear for Hong Kong’s young protesters.
The fifth pop-up shop was closed on Monday afternoon after police arrested eight of its employees – including its owner Lee Ching-hei – shortly after it opened at the Third Street location last Saturday. They were later accused of supplying “offensive weapons” and not cooperating with officers. At a Sunday briefing, police officers claimed they found items – such as two bottles of drain cleaner, spray cans, baseballs, a baseball launcher and 12 press badges.
The arrested employees were released on bail on Monday at noon, the store said on its social media.
Ever since the store came up in early August, it has been a go-to for many young frontline protesters to buy helmets, protective masks and other supplies for their violent clashes with police.
