Police defend tactics after video of officer tackling 12-year-old Hong Kong girl goes viral
- Human rights advocates warn the city’s law enforcement is becoming increasingly aggressive, pointing to mass arrests during Sunday’s protest
- But police insider says early detentions stopped the rally from plunging into further violence
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Hong Kong police officer tackles and pins 12-year-old girl to ground during anti-government rally
Human rights advocates and critics have warned of what they called “increasingly aggressive” policing tactics in Hong Kong after a male officer tackled a 12-year-old girl and pinned her to the ground during Sunday’s anti-government protests.
02:54
At least 289 arrested as scattered groups rally over postponed election day
A police insider said the force used a pre-emptive approach by making early arrests, preventing the demonstration from plunging into further violence.
But an expert struck a more cautious tone, saying the move risked innocent people being detained, and did little to rebuild the police’s image, battered by accusations they used excessive force during the months-long anti-government movement last year.
Activists could be heard chanting “Liberate Hong Kong; revolution of our times”, a slogan that could run afoul of the new law. Police estimate about 1,000 people took part in the illegal protest, and by day’s end, 289 arrests were made.
