customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

moreOnThisArticles

urlAlias

commentCount

sponsorType

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

seriesContainer

printHeadline

socialHeadline

headline

glossary

flattenTypeIds

paywallTypes

publishedDate

additionalInfoBoxes

images

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

createdDate

sponsor

factSheets

series

summary

updatedDate

flag

knowledgeQuestion

disableOffPlatformContent

published

subHeadline

body

keywords

copyrighted

customTimezone

liveContents

SCMP Reporters

Tensions are escalating at an anti-government march on Sunday, with the stand-off between protesters and Hong Kong police continuing into the evening at a road junction beyond the approved end point of the procession in Central.
Hundreds of thousands of people set off from Causeway Bay at around 3pm, and the tail of the procession was still stuck in the same district roughly three hours later.
The huge turnout was expected at the march, which is being held a day before the city marks six months since a mass protest on June 9 raised the curtain on this year's anti-government unrest.
Police said just hours before the march they had arrested 11 people and seized a 9mm semi-automatic pistol, as well as other weapons they feared could be used during the rally, which is supposed to end at Chater Road in Central.
For comprehensive look at the day's events, read our wrap here. 
Reporting by Phila Siu, Albert Han, Kinling Lo, Karen Zhang, Karen Yeung, Tony Cheung, Ng Kang-chung, Alvin Lum and Danny Mok


As it happened: ‘about 800,000’ join Hong Kong protest on eve of six-month anniversary of anti-government unrest

Civil Human Rights Front vows to keep the peace at Hong Kong pro-democracy march, with police-protester diplomacy

News

Hong Kong

Politics

An August march in favour of the opposition movement’s five demands. Photo: Felix Wong

Jimmy Sham Tsz-kit appears for the district council election at polling stations in Lek Yuen Estate. 24NOV19 SCMP / Winson Wong


Mass march from Victoria Park to Central draws hundreds of thousands, organisers estimate, as they call time on the action
Police say turnout peaked at 183,000



Mass anti-government march starting at Victoria Park due to end in Central. Police said earlier that officers seized a firearm they feared would be used at the protest.


Hong Kong protests

Live

Speaking before the march begins, Jimmy Sham Tsz-kit, convenor of the Civil Human Rights Front, which is organising the march and rally, says Hong Kong is now going through a “catastrophic human rights crisis”.
He said Hongkongers are out on the streets on Sunday to tell the world they are not intimidated by what he called a police and government crackdown.
“I hope the police will exercise restraint today,” Sham says.
On the weapons seized by police earlier on Sunday, deputy convenor Eric Lai says police have previously made similar raids ahead of mass protests.
He urges police to disclose more information about the seizure.   


Organiser: Hong Kong is in a ‘human rights crisis’

The mass anti-government march started soon after 3pm from Causeway Road, outside Victoria Park in Causeway Bay.
Thousands of protesters are in the park for the procession, which is due to head to Chater Road, Central, along an approved route via Yee Wo Street and Hennessy Road.
Police on Thursday approved the event - the first march and rally organised by the Civil Human Rights Front to secure permission since August.



Thousands in Victoria Park for start of march

More than 30 riot police are at the junction of Jaffe Road and Percival Street in Causeway Bay.
They include members of police’s elite task force, the Special Tactical Squad, also known as “Raptors”.
Each of them is wearing a blue tag which is believed to be a new form of ID. A helicopter is hovering above.



Dozens of riot police on streets 

The streets of Causeway Bay are flooded with thousands of black-clad protesters, who are on the march towards Central.
“Hongkongers, revenge!” some chant.
Among them is Charlie Chan, 17, a high school student. He suspects the gun seized by police did not belong to protesters.
“How could one even get hold of a gun in Hong Kong?” he says.
He says he was in the “blue camp” - a pro-establishment supporter - at the start of the protests six months ago, before he joined demonstrations in anger over what he called police brutality.


Streets packed with marching protesters

Mr Shum, 66, a retired civil servant, says he has been out every weekend for peaceful protests since June and is happy to see people on the streets. 
“I was born and bred in Hong Kong, I never knew Hong Kong people could be so concerned about the society and so selfless for one another,” he says. “We have a generation of passionate young people, I am very thankful. But at the same time I am pessimistic about the future. These days things seemed more peaceful, but this could be peace before the storm, because I think the central government would only tighten its grip on us, it wouldn’t let us go.
“Our protests are just to delay it, and also fight for that very slight chance of a positive change, if it never comes, at least it can come later.”



‘The central government won’t let us go’

Police are appealing to all participants to protest in a peaceful manner and mind their personal safety.
“If any suspicious item is found, please leave the scene and stay in safe places, inform the marshals at the scene or call police immediately,” the force said in a statement. “In the interest of public safety, police remind the organisers to keep close contact with police so that timely arrangement can be made if necessary.”



Police appeal for calm

In an online comment piece, the Communist Party’s mouthpiece People’s Daily says the letter of no-objection for Sunday’s march shows the Hong Kong government’s sincerity and respect for the people’s freedom of expression.
The commentary also says the situation in the city has been calming down because people have seen the “evils of violence”.


People’s Daily: march shows government’s respect for freedom of expression

A hawker is selling roasted chestnuts and sweet potatoes with his wife outside Tin Hau MTR station, where protesters exit to go to Victoria Park.
“Business hasn’t been too good this morning because it’s quite sunny so people may not want to eat very hot roasted food yet , we come here because there are more people,” he says.
“I am not too worried about needing to run away from protest mess, but I have thought about my escape route when police starts firing tear gas. The trolley is heavy so I have to be prepared.”



Planning an escape route 

Tens of thousands of protesters have filled the streets of Causeway Bay, demanding the government satisfy their five demands
  Video: SCMP/Phila Siu pic.twitter.com/ms7DX6KOz0
  — SCMP Hong Kong (@SCMPHongKong) December 8, 2019


Tens of thousands on the streets

As a massive anti-government rally takes place on Hong Kong Island, a group of pro-establishment scholars and analysts gather at a forum organised by local think tank One Country Two Systems Youth Forum to discuss the situation in the city.
Mainland legal heavyweight Wang Zhenmin urges the public to understand the reality and full picture of China’s ruling “one country, two systems” principle.
Wang points out that Hong Kong enjoys an independent judiciary, custom areas, as well as power to issue its own currency. “That does not normally belong to a local government within a country. Meanwhile the central government also enjoys its own power, that is the compete picture of one country, two systems,” Wang says.
Former undersecretary Christine Loh Kung-wai urges dialogue on all sides, including over the remit of “one country”.
Mainland constitutional law analyst Tian Feilong says the district council elections can pave way to further dialogue in the city, but says any talk has to take place under the principle of rule of law and respect.



Hong Kong must understand reality of ‘one country, two systems’

Hyias, a 17-year-old student, says he feels recent protests have not involved as many people as earlier ones.
“But there are still a number of people firmly taking to the streets including me,” he says. “I hope there will be at least one protest every week in the future to achieve the goal of five demands.”
Mr Chung, 19, says he is not joining today’s protests because he has to go to work, but he insists the protests “have not lost momentum”. 
“In fact we will not stop until the government makes more concessions,” he says. “So far, the movement has achieved the passing of the Human Rights Democracy Act by the US, and the videotapes of the Prince Edward station incident are also going to be released.”


‘I hope we protest until our demands are met’

Chapman Chen, a New Territories resident, refuses to criticise those hard-core demonstrators who have used violence to advance the anti-government cause.
“I’m not a frontliner, but I do not condemn militant fighters. They’re revolutionaries,” he says during the protest in Causeway Bay.
He also says he wants the West to do more to help Hongkongers. He called on the US to actually use the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, which allows for diplomatic action and economic sanctions against the city’s government.


‘I do not condemn militant fighters’

Anson, an office worker on Hong Kong Island, believes the march itself from Causeway Bay to Central will be peaceful after securing police approval.
“But so many people, including me, will be worried later or at night because past events show it will be more dangerous,” he says.
Anson adds he and his two friends will leave before nightfall at around 5pm.   


Protester fears violence after march

A 21-year-old university student who is only willing to give his last name Lai, has spent HK$400 on a total of 100 hand warmers to give to fellow protesters.
“The weather is a lot colder, I am worried that  people will get sick, it’s still a long fight,” he says. “In the last half a year, I feel like I have learnt a lot about the dark side of the society, how people in power can use the power excessively, how police have obviously been abusing the use of force but are not facing any consequences.
“But as HongKongers, I feel that our collective identity is much stronger. For example, I feel connected even to south Asians now as many of them have showed support towards our call.”



Helping protesters to stay warm

A 30-year-old female protester, who says her last name is Lam, says even though democrats scored a landslide victory at the district council elections, protesters must keep their fight going.
Waving a small US flag at the march, she says the passage of the human rights bill in the United States has helped taken Hongkongers’ fight to the international level. “Our messages have been spread internationally and many countries are now watching the developments in Hong Kong,” the office worker says.


‘We must keep up the fight despite election win’

Scenes from Hong Kong Island

Around 4pm the head of the procession reaches Wan Chai MTR station. But many people started on their own and some have reached Queensway in Admiralty. Meanwhile, back at the start in Causeway Bay, people were still streaming into Victoria Park from Tin Hau.



People still arriving at Victoria Park

Sukarti Purwati, an Indonesian domestic worker, who has worked in Hong Kong as a helper for 24 years, says her life is not too affected by the protests.
“My house is close by,” she says. “Of course sometimes we can’t meet a friend, if they’re far away, because of the transportation.”
Sukarti says she has not seen anything like the protests since moving to the city in 1995. “We’ve been here long time, and we ask ‘what’s happened?’ I see it and it’s scary,” she says. 
She says she knows about Yuli Riswati, the domestic helper and journalist who was deported. “Different people have different opinions. We care about Hong Kong, but we don’t want to have a problem here, like if we joined a protest,” she says.


Indonesian wonders what has happened to Hong Kong

Alex Tsui, a chef in a hotel, is in Tin Hau to join the rally, but also to promote his newly established union, the Hong Kong Hotel Employees Union.
“It’s only been two weeks since we established the union,” the 24-year-old says. “The protest has made many people realise we should stand up to injustice in our lives, not just the political part, but also in our workplace.”
Tsui says he knows of cases of hotel staff being suspended from work unpaid, but not officially fired. He says he is worried that, if the hotel business keeps struggling, that will happen to more workers.
“Therefore, a union of people who share a similar political stance is necessary. It’s also only when we unite in our industry that we can start thinking about calling a strike.”
Tsui says the union has recruited more than 60 members in two weeks and is still handling applications. “I think my boss will know I am the chairman of this union after today,” he says. “But I am not scared. The union exists to stop white terror.”



Hotel workers unionise to fight ‘white terror’

Around 4.30pm in Central, a group of black-clad protesters try to set up barricades to block Des Voeux Road Central. Some protesters also continue marching towards Western district as others still pass along Queensway.



Blocking roads in Central

On Percival Street in Causeway Bay, 20 police officers stand guard to stop protesters from taking routes not approved by the force. Marchers challenge officers to take off their masks, and hurl insults at them.



Protesters challenge police

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department has announced that “due to special circumstances which may possibly happen nearby”, Hong Kong Park Sports Centre, Hong Kong Squash Centre, Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware, and the Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre closed at 4pm.
City Hall will close at 5pm, and Sheung Wan Civic Centre will close at 6pm. The department cites safety reasons for the closures.
“Subject to the situation, more cultural and leisure facilities in the same districts and any other districts which may be affected will also be closed early and at short notice to ensure the safety of venue users. Members of the public who plan to go to those venues are advised to visit the [department’s] website or contact 1823 in advance,” the department’s statement says.


Leisure centres close early

At 4.44pm, organisers from the Civil Human Rights Front announce that the head of the rally has reached Chater Road, the planned end point. They ask participants to disperse peacefully after reaching the end point, and not to give police an excuse to intervene.



Organisers ask marchers to go home

Polytechnic University student Thomas Chan has been stuck at Causeway Bay for two hours and still cannot get beyond the Sogo department store from the starting point at Victoria Park, because the area is packed with protesters. “It is encouraging that so many people are out here today,” the 18-year-old says.
He says he has lost all faith in the government, saying officials have refused to satisfy their demands after months of protests, and he pledges to join future citywide strikes to exert pressure on the government.
He says he finds it suspicious the police seized a gun before the march began, and doubts it really belonged to protesters.


Protesters still waiting to leave Causeway Bay

Mr Yu, 70, a shopkeeper on Canal Road, says he continues to do business even as protesters march outside. He doesn’t expect police to fire tear gas near his shop, since it is near the start of the rally.
During the worst times over the past six months, his business has suffered, earning only a few hundred dollars in a week on one occasion, compared with the few thousand he might make in a day previously.
“I still need to make a living, but you have to think about the long term,” he says. “If it weren’t for the students, the extradition bill would have been passed. I think it would be better from now on, though, if the extremists become more restrained and the government would also use dialogue to de-escalate the situation.”



‘Time for both sides to de-escalate situation’

In Central, dozens of riot police are standing in a line at Hang Seng bank on Des Voeux Road Central. A street away, a few objects including traffic cones and barricades are set up by protesters as roadblocks. Most marchers are near Chater Road, the rally’s approved end point.
At about 5pm, a police water cannon and an armoured vehicle are deployed in Central. Online television news footage shows the two police vehicles turning onto Des Voeux Road Central from Connaught Road Central.



Not all protesters leaving peacefully

The Burger Home restaurant in Wan Chai displays a sign thanking Hong Kong protesters for their perseverance over the past six months.
It’s now packed with hungry marchers.



Protesting is hungry work

A man holding a Chinese flag walks along Causeway Road, videotaping himself and playing English songs. He is speaking to himself, and protesters are avoiding him. Some passers-by call him a ‘red dog’.



Swimming against the tide

Institute of Vocational Education student Charlie Law, 20, says he expected such a huge turnout because he has faith in Hongkongers. On the losses and gains over the past six months, he says he has felt a strong sense of identity of being a Hongkonger.
“I didn’t have such a strong sense of identity during the Occupy movement,” he says. “The losses would be those who have been arrested and charged, subsequently losing a bright future ahead of them.”
He believes it will be difficult for tomorrow’s citywide strike to draw a large turnout, saying the strike by those in the advertising industry earlier this week had not put too much pressure on the government.



Growing sense of Hong Kong identity

Ms Lee, 56, who moved from Guangzhou to Hong Kong 20 years ago, says she will never surrender to communist Chinese rule, and believes Hongkongers should try their best to retain as much autonomy as possible from Beijing.
“When I first came to Hong Kong I didn’t like it here. I thought the flats were too small, and I didn’t have many friends,” she says. “I once asked my husband to buy a flat in Shenzhen and move there, but now I am glad my husband convinced me not to. He said the identity of a Hongkonger was worth much more money than a flat in Shenzhen. I am glad I listened to him.”
Lee, who is a waitress at a Chinese restaurant, says she has gone on strike twice before, and will do so again on Monday. “My boss knew why I didn’t come to work, and he didn’t say anything,” she says. “Strikes are important to keep the movement going, because at least it stirs some noise.”


‘I will never surrender to communist Chinese rule’

A dozen riot police stand guard at Paterson Street and Kingston Street in Causeway Bay, as dozens of black-clad protesters gather a street away on the corner of Great George Street and Paterson Street. Bits of ceramic tiles and cardboard are scattered on the streets, while police have brought in water cannon and armoured vehicles.



Tension building

Protesters yell abuse at officers near police headquarters in Wan Chai. Police stand on a footbridge as the rally passes underneath and protesters point laser beams at them. Police headquarters nearby is surrounded by water-filled barricades.



Police HQ barricaded

Anti-riot officers are seen wearing the new identification cards on their vests following complaints some failed to do so at past protests. Some officers are also armed with Colt AR-15 semi-automatic rifles. The rifle can be loaded with 20 5.56×45mm rounds, and can only be fired with approval as a last resort in situations which are assessed to be serious enough to be uncontrollable or result in severe casualties. The rifle has an effective firing range of 550 metres.
 


Police up fire power

By about 6pm, Hennessy Road is still covered by a sea of protesters. While the head of the rally reached the endpoint of Chater Road in Central before 5pm, huge crowds are still stuck in the start point in Causeway Bay, where they are moving forward inch by inch.
Shouts of slogans: “Liberate Hong Kong, Revolution of Our Time”, “Five Demands, Not One Less”, echo between the canyon of skyscrapers. The New World First Bus and Citybus say 33 routes have been suspended temporarily because of the road conditions, and 68 other routes are diverted.
As night falls on Sunday, the streets of Central are still packed with protesters, who chant: "Five demands, not one less"
  Video: SCMP/Phila Siu pic.twitter.com/zqcfy4jgmn
  — SCMP Hong Kong (@SCMPHongKong) December 8, 2019


Streets still packed with protesters

Kenny Ip, a data science student at Hanseng University, says the protests still have momentum despite lower turnouts during the week.
“The Hong Kong people have power to continue our movement, I think we have no other way to voice our demands, it’s our basic right,” he says.
In regards to tactics other than demonstrations, strikes, and frontline protesting he says that the disctrict council elections are not enough. “The government took three months to respond to one demand, how about the other four? People in other places, including mainland China, can support us,” he says. 


Protesters looking overseas for more support

Hundreds of people are on Des Voeux Road Central, with dozens of black-clad protesters at the junction of Pottinger Street. They are wearing gas masks and a few are using umbrellas to block the road. More than 50 riot police with a water cannon vehicle are near Hang Seng bank, a street away. Police ask people to leave the road from time to time. The stand off has been going on for several hours.
Five female protesters are putting on raincoats. “It’s to protect us against the water cannon vehicle,” a frontline female protester says. “We will take action after those peaceful rally goers leave this area.”



Protesters preparing for confrontation

At the end point of the march in Central, deputy convenor Figo Chan of the protest organiser, Civil Human Rights Front, tells protesters not to march any further because there are many police waiting for them. He also urges protesters to sign up to become members of labour unions, saying they will get better labour protection if they take part in strikes.



Organisers urge marchers to join a union

Vandals have sprayed slogans on Bank of China Tower, the building in Central that serves as Bank of China (Hong Kong)’s headquarters.
One slogan reads: “If we burn, you burn with us.” Another says “vindicate June 4”, referring to the Tiananmen crackdown in 1989.



Bank of China Tower targeted with graffiti

Mr Wong, the owner of newspaper stand in Causeway Bay, is in the process of closing up for the day. Earlier he gave water to first-aid volunteers.
“We had so many customers this morning, until the police arrived this afternoon across from us,” he says. “Nobody has been buying from us since then. We are closing up now because the police may be getting ready to fire tear gas as it is getting late in the evening now.  
“The whole Hong Kong economy has been the loser in the past half-year. But people continue supporting protesters’ demands to the government. My contribution of free water is really only a small cost in comparison.”


Closing up for the day

Police issue a statement and warn of “necessary action” if protesters do not listen to their instructions. “A public event is under way on Hong Kong Island, the public meeting is held in Victoria Park, followed by a public procession expected to finish at Chater Road. There is no authorised public meeting to be held at the finishing point,” the force says in a statement. 
“Some participants deviated from the approved route and occupied part of Gloucester Road and Des Voeux Road Central. Police appeal to all participants not to deviate from the approved route and remind them to disperse after the procession. Should the protestors neglect police’s instruction, necessary action will be taken.
“A group of violent protestors also vandalised shops and a bank in Causeway Bay and Wan Chai area, the police warn them not to do any illegal acts posing threat to public order and endangering public safety.”


Police warn of ‘necessary action’ if protesters don’t disperse

Martha Cheng, 29, a part-time master’s student only joins the rally at around 6pm, having been unsure whether it was the way forward for the movement.  
“I think the police approved this rally just to arrest more people later,” she says. “But when I saw many people waiting for buses downstairs of my home I knew many people are still coming and I should be part of it, no matter what.
“But in the long run, I really think going on mass strikes is the way to go instead of having weekend protests all the time. I think the government has already got used to it. The strikes before only lasted for one to two days, they will only work if the pro-protest middle class are willing to join strikes. But I also know a lot of people have their families to feed.”



Torn over whether to join rally

Protesters set up barricades on Des Voeux Road Central in Central, where the rally is expected to finish, about 100 metres from a police cordon. A bit further on from the barricades, about 200 metres from the police cordon, a box has been placed on the road and it says “do not kick, it may explode”.



Stand-off in Central

Several broken bottles and a burnt carpet are found at the front door of the High Court, where a protester was earlier seen hurling a petrol bomb. Someone daubs the message “Rule of law is dead” on the wall of the building. Firefighters arrive to inspect the damage.
Elsewhere, a Starbucks is vandalised in Wan Chai.



High Court fire

Fierce arguments break out between the police and people in Central. An observer from Hong Kong Human Rights Monitoring asks police not to point pepper spray at reporters, while some police call him “garbage”.
“Why don’t you go to America?” an officer says to accusations they are violating human rights. 
Meanwhile, Civil Human Rights Front convenor Jimmy Sham is asking participants to leave peacefully and go home after finishing the march. “You can take MTR, bus, ferry and whatever public transport to leave and go home,” he says. “Hong Kong now is not the one we knew a year ago. Police could lose control any time.”


Verbal exchanges raise tensions in Central

Thousands of people are still walking down Queensway, while the tail of the procession has reached Wan Chai.
The mood hyped up when the tail of the rally slowly reaches Wan Chai as the song “Glory to Hong Kong”- known as the anthem of HKers- was played loudly.
  Former bishop of HK cardinal Joseph Zen, much respected for his pro-democracy stance, was there to greet protesters. pic.twitter.com/PkPXAQWtzu
  — Kinling Lo 盧建靈 (@kinlinglo) December 8, 2019


And still they march

There is a heavy police presence in Central, the designated end point for the march, as officers urge protesters not to gather there. Some officers point their pepper spray at protesters who refuse to leave.
Heavy police presence in Central, the march's end point, as officers urge protesters to disperse. Some point pepper spray at demonstrators who refuse to leave
  Video: SCMP/Phila Siu pic.twitter.com/jwlhVyyste
  — SCMP Hong Kong (@SCMPHongKong) December 8, 2019
Meanwhile, protesters smash up a Starbucks on Queensway. The chain has been targeted in recent months because its local stores are run by the Maxim’s group, whose founder’s daughter has spoken out against the protest movement.



Police urge protesters to leave Central

Riot police in Central near the Hang Seng Bank building on Des Voeux Road Central, near Queen Victoria Street, raise a blue flag asking people to leave immediately, although only about 20 people are stood nearby.
“You are involved in an illegal assembly,” police say. “Leave immediately. Otherwise we will disperse you by force.”



Blue flag in Central

Senior counsel Victor Dawes, who passes by the High Court building to head back to his office, calls the vandalism there “outrageous”.
“One cannot only view the ruling of the courts with a ‘Heads I win, tails you lose’ mentality,” Dawes says. “One day you may criticise the court for refusing to grant an injunction order, but then one may keep silent when the court ruled a law unconstitutional. What some radicals did is outrageous.”
But some protesters say they are worried about the integrity of the judicial system.
“For instance, the judicial review that found the anti-mask law unconstitutional, there is talk Beijing may have an interpretation that trumps the ruling,” says office worker Cherry, who is in her mid-20s.


High Court vandalism ‘outrageous’

Police again tell protesters gathering in Central to disperse and say they will use “the minimum necessary force to effect dispersal and arrest” of those occupying roads in Central.
In a statement, police say: “Police have repeatedly reminded participants to disperse after the procession at the finishing point via Pedder Street direction. However, a large group of protesters are still occupying Pottinger Street and Des Voeux Road Central, they are participating in an unauthorised assembly.
“Some of them are even holding weapons in their hands. Police once again warn them to stop all illegal acts and appeal to bystanders to leave immediately. Police will use the minimum necessary force to effect dispersal and arrest. ”


Police give protesters another warning

Hundreds of black-clad protesters gather at the protest end point, even though march organiser the Civil Human Rights Front has been urging them to leave and avoid clashing with police.

Seventeen-year-old Cheung says previous actions have taught him that peaceful protest will not work, and he is ready to battle the police.
“The last six months have shown that the government will not listen to peaceful protesters,” says the high-school student, mask and goggles dangling from his neck, adding that he is encouraged by the turnout.


‘The government will not listen to peaceful protesters’

The Court of Final Appeal in Central has been attacked and vandalised.
A source says the attack took place at about 7pm, when two suspected petrol bombs were hurled at the entrance of the top court.

No one was hurt.


Petrol bomb hits Court of Final Appeal

In Central, a protester says through a microphone that everyone should leave via Chater Road.
Frontline protesters have decided not to fight tonight, he says, thanking other protesters for their support.
Two other protesters outside Landmark Prince’s direct others away from the stand-off. “See you tomorrow, thanks for the hard work,” they say. Protesters plan to launch a citywide strike tomorrow.


Calls for a retreat

Civil Human Rights Front vice convenor Figo Chan Ho-hang argues with police officers blocking the junction of Pedder Street and Queen’s Road Central, with a letter of no objection in his hand. Chan is complaining police are placing unreasonable limits on the march by barricading at the junction and raising blue flags at other sites.


March organiser challenges police

Civil Human Rights Front convenor Jimmy Sham, one of the organisers of today’s march, claims about 800,000 people took to the streets of Hong Kong.
While other protesters are still making their way to Central, the front has told those still in Wan Chai to stop and go home, and says the decision is down to the increased police presence on the streets.


Organisers claim 800,000 at march

Civil Human Rights Front convenor Jimmy Sham Tsz-kit says he hopes the number of people at the march will make Hong Kong’s leader, Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, pay attention.
“It [800,000] is a very large number,” Sham says. “Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said she would listen humbly to people’s voice. I hope she would set up a real commission of inquiry immediately.”
Lam previously said she would set up an independent review committee to study the deep-seated problems in Hong Kong society. Sham believes the turnout could have been even higher if police had approved their march earlier.
Eric Lai, deputy convenor of the front, says the turnout has shown “people are resilient and persistent with the five demands”.
“Carrie Lam needs to take this into consideration and set up an independent commission of inquiry as soon as possible,” he says. “We are also disappointed with the police, especially the frontline police. We have seen...they have tried to intimidated the participants in Central. This is not acceptable.”


March organisers hope Carrie Lam will take notice

Police say 183,000 people took part in the march at its peak. The organisers, the Civil Human Rights Front, earlier claimed 800,000 had taken part overall.


Police put march number at 183,000

Ms Wong, who stays in Central after organisers tell people to leave, says she still feels safe and does not see an urgent need to do so. 
“I wanted to know the turnout number as soon as possible,” says Wong, who has been participating in peaceful protests for the past six months. “I am not too disappointed by the turnout, in fact I see it as quite encouraging because there hasn’t been too many big infuriating incidents recently.
“This turnout shows the people’s anger towards the government has been consistent and sustained.” 


Marcher encouraged by large turnout

Civil Human Rights Front convenor Jimmy Sham is asked if the turnout was lower than in previous marches because the pan-democrats’ landslide victory at the district council elections last month helped alleviate people’s anger.
“I don’t think the people’s grievances have been alleviated,” he says. “We voted and we wanted pro-establishment camp to lose, but that was not among our demands.”


People still angry despite elections win, says Sham

Angus, a 25-year-old nurse who usually supports protests as a first aider, joined the march as a citizen today. He says today’s rally is a big encouragement.
“Hongkongers have been continuing this movement from scorching weather to cold seasons,” he says. “Some may have been content with the election results. But definitely there will be Hongkongers continuing the movement until the five demands are fully met.“ 
He thinks the turnout was higher than the 800,000 estimated by the Civil Human Rights Front, and believes peaceful and radical protests, as well as citywide strikes, are an effective means of achieving their aims. 
“Peaceful protests like today’s helps get international support and tell frontline protesters that many people are supporting them,” he says. “Although I don’t support violent protests myself, I will not sever ties with those using this way.“


Marching until five demands are met

Asked to comment on the attacks on the High Court and the Court of Final Appeal, Civil Human Rights Front convenor Jimmy Sham says he does not agree with those acts. 
“We are aware that the courts have been under pressure,” he says. “We need to safeguard our courts. The marchers would not destroy institutions we need to safeguard.”
In a statement, the Department of Justice says: “The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will not tolerate any illegal or violent acts. The arsons outside the Court of Final Appeal and High Court Building today not only disrupted social peace, but also undermined Hong Kong’s reputation as a city governed by the rule of law.
“Arson is a serious offence which poses a threat to the lives and properties of the public. The maximum penalty upon conviction is life imprisonment. Members of the public are urged not to break the law. The Department of Justice appeals to the public to respect the rule of law. The Government will not condone any acts of sabotage against the judiciary or damage to the rule of law.”


March organiser condemns attack on courts

A few dozen protesters remain at the designated end point of the march in Central, after the Civil Human Rights Front announces the end of the rally.
Just an hour ago, thousands of people were there and tensions ran high as the police barred protesters from leaving in certain directions. Roadblocks were set up by protesters, who feared the police would come after them.



Protesters drift away as rally ends

Commenting on the march, a government spokesman says the Hong Kong people’s rights had been protected by the Basic Law.
The spokesman also condemns the attack on the courts, and dismisses protesters’ allegations against police. “The government looks forward to working with the whole of society to curb violence, defend the rule of law, and rebuild social order, and to find a way out for Hong Kong’s deep problems through dialogue,” the spokesman adds.
On the attacks on the court buildings, the spokesman says: “During today’s march, violence and illegal acts still occurred, especially the attack and arson against the Court of Final Appeal and the High Court. In a society of the rule of law, everyone must respect courts, judges and their decisions.
 “Anyone attacking or slandering the judiciary will cause great harm to the rule of law in Hong Kong and will not be accepted by the whole of society. The SAR Government issues its strongest condemnation. In addition, people blocked roads and damaged shops and banks during the procession, posing a danger to the citizens of the peaceful procession.”


Government ‘looks forward to working with society to curb violence’

Law Society president Melissa Pang Kaye says she is shocked to learn about the arson at Court of Final Appeal and the High Court building on Sunday, and urges anyone involved to “stop taking the law into your own hands”.
“The task of the courts is to adjudicate impartially on the legal and factual issues involved in the particular case according to the law, whatever the nature of the controversy and whoever the parties may be,” Pang says.     “Venting dissatisfaction by throwing petrol bombs at court buildings and vandalising properties in their surroundings is wholly unacceptable. Those who commit these criminal acts must stop taking the law into your own hands. These acts will not help resolve any problem.”


Law Society president shocked by court attack

In Central, dozens of riot police are at the junction of Des Voeux Road Central and Pedder Street, and Highways Department workers, with a truck, are clearing roadblocks. Police tell protesters and journalists to stay on the pavement.

