Why are Hong Kong protesters urging one another to tuck in their shirts, roll up their trousers and schedule messages ahead of National Day
- Messages circulating on protesters’ favoured online platforms call for new fashion to expose undercover officers carrying guns or batons
- On Sunday, an officer fired a live round into the air during clashes in Wan Chai to protect safety of ‘surrounded and attacked’ colleagues
Hong Kong’s protesters have taken the unusual step of announcing a new dress code ahead of expected clashes on National Day on Tuesday: tuck your shirt in.
The messages, widely circulated on social media and encrypted platforms such as Telegram, claim such a fashion choice would make it harder for undercover police to hide revolvers or batons.
One officer, thought to have been undercover, fired a live round into the air in warning, during clashes in Wan Chai on Sunday afternoon.
Police have not confirmed that the officer – whose face was wrapped in balaclavas similar to that of the protesters – was on an undercover mission, merely saying he fired the shot to protect the safety of his colleagues, who were “surrounded and attacked” by protesters.
“You think it’s too nerdy to tuck your shirts in? It could probably save your life!” one post on Reddit-like site LIHKG read.