SPECIAL REPORT: On the ground at Hong Kong’s 4th anti-parallel trade protest in a month

A series of demonstrations broke out in different parts of the city yesterday in the fourth anti-parallel-trading protests in a month. Police arrested three males and one female aged 13-21.

Mobile Crowd

Dozens initially gathered outside Sheung Shui MTR Station at 3pm on Sunday following a call to action on Facebook earlier in the week.

The protest, dubbed the “Sheung Shui city tour”, was said to be against parallel trading and multi-entry permits for mainland Chinese residents. It moved to Tuen Mun after meeting a heavy police presence.

Minor clashes between protesters and anti-protesters occurred, and police checked the IDs of the crowd.
 

The protesters marched back to Tuen Mun, the site of another protest last month. Crowds gathered in the V City shopping mall, Tuen Mun Plaza and the surrounding streets.
 

Richard Scotford, a pro-democracy activist who was on the scene, claimed on Twitter that 400 people were present in multiple groups. He was told the motive was to “drive police crazy” as protesters would “[keep] moving when police arrive[d]”.
 

Officers hoisted the “Police Cordon: Do Not Cross” yellow flag and multiple shops were closed.

Bus Stop Showdown

Clashes occurred at the B3X bus stop as protesters attempted to barricade the area. Police reinforced their numbers and had large shields, pepper spray canisters, and police dogs.
 

Clashes continued outside the Tuen Mun MTR Station, where the luggage of passersby was kicked by protesters.

Tsim Sha Tsui ‘Dinner’

The crowd gathered at the Tsim Sha Tsui ferry pier at 9pm, claiming to be wanting to “have dinner”.

Cheng Chung-tai from activist group Civic Passion appeared on scene and was quickly surrounded by police and cameras.
 

Meanwhile, chaos erupted as protesters bypassed a police cordon, resulting in arrests. The crowd jeered, “China gong-an [police]” and “shame on you” in English.
 

A man surnamed Poon, 25, told Coconuts HK that he joined the protest due to his concern about what he sees as the deteriorating reality of Hong Kong’s politics.

“The police’s handling of the protests has been crude”, he said.

Peaceful protests “have often resulted in youth bloodied by batons or arrested”, which was done to create fear, he believes.

Poon also expressed concerns about what he said was police double standards in handling parallel traders and anti-protest individuals.

“Their behaviour reminds me of the 1970s before ICAC (Independent Commission Against Corruption), and the more it happens, the more worried we are. We are only expressing our views and we have more police than protesters, and what they’re doing so far is ruining their own reputation” he said.
 

James Bang, 28, says the government is “doing nothing about the smuggler issue”, adding that CY Leung “had something to do [on his recent trip to Beijing] but quickly reversed his stance”.

He also claimed to have witnessed anti-protesters who started a fight later “chatting with the police” while anti-parallel trade protesters were arrested.

Bang said he does not see the protesters’ actions as “pro-independence” but said “Hong Kong was promised a degree of autonomy and identity, not [just to be] another city in the communist system.”

The crowd continued to move around the tourist area, finally gathering on Nathan Road outside Chungking Mansion, before gradually dispersing. 

A police statement, issued this morning, read: “During the event, Police gave repeated advice and warnings, to appeal to the participants to express their views in a peaceful and rational manner but they refused to comply. 

“They shoved Police officers at scene, and caused disturbances to road users and shops. To ensure public safety and public order, Police took resolute actions to stop the unlawful violent acts and arrest the protesters involved.”

Photos: Thomas Chan/Coconuts Media

Source: now.com 

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