Hong Kong police ramp up security ahead of planned protests to disrupt Legco debate on national anthem law

Name: Tear gas fired as thousands protest Beijing’s planned national security law for Hong Kong
Uploaded: 2020-05-25T13:23:15.000Z
Duration: 4 min 52 s
Description: Tear gas fired as thousands protest Beijing’s planned national security law for Hong Kong

Demonstrators are seeking to derail second reading of controversial bill in a repeat of action last June

But authorities will deploy 3,000 officers and water cannons at Legco and liaison office to prevent crowds from gathering

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Riot police stand in front of water cannon tuck during a protest against Beijing's national security legislation in Causeway Bay on May 24. Photo: AP

Sum Lok-keiandClifford Lo

Published: 9:23pm, 25 May 2020Updated: 11:38pm, 25 May 2020

About 3,000 police officers will be deployed across Hong Kong on Wednesday when protesters are expected to stage a rally outside the legislature and try to paralyse traffic in an attempt to derail debate on a controversial national anthem bill.

Authorities are bracing for a mass turnout after thousands defied social-distancing laws and gathered on Sunday to demonstrate against Beijing’s plan to install a national security law in Hong Kong. Riot officers fired rounds of tear gas and used a water cannon truck to control the crowds, making nearly 200 arrests during the protest, which the central government’s office called a threat to national security.

Police were already strengthening security around the Legislative Council on Monday, erecting additional water-filled barriers and sending riot officers to patrol the area.

Lawmakers will carry out a second reading of the national anthem bill, which penalises anyone for misusing or insulting March of the Volunteers with a fine of up to HK$50,000 (US$6,450) and three years in prison.

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Tear gas fired as thousands protest Beijing’s planned national security law for Hong Kong

Protesters are being urged on social media to surround Legco and disrupt proceedings in a way similar to June 12 last year, when tens of thousands of demonstrators brought the second reading of the government’s failed extradition bill to a halt.