Pepper spray used, 5 arrested in Mong Kok during anti-square-dance protest

Localist protesters and pro-Beijing groups clashed yesterday evening during a street protest in Mong Kok. Police deployed pepper spray amid the chaos and five people were arrested.

The protest, organised by localist groups (including Hong Kong Localism Power and Valiant Frontier), was held against the mainland women performing “square dances” in the Sai Yeung Choi Street public pedestrian area, which the groups accuse of creating noise pollution, overcrowding the area, and pushing out local performers. 

 The police arrested four men and one woman, aged between 23 and 55, for the assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest, disorder in public, and common assault. A police statement said that one officer was injured during the incident, and that further arrests may be made.

A protester holder a sign that says, “Barbarians [mainland Chinese] have no taste”

Dozens of protesters gathered at the pedestrian area in the evening at around 7pm, with some waving banners and the colonial flags. The protest turned violent as pro-Beijing groups clashed with the crowd soon after it started. 

Police pulled some protesters from the crowd and made several arrests. Some members of the pro-Beijing camp, who were accused of assaulting the protesters, were ushered away by the police.

A protester being taken away by the police

Police also deployed pepper spray to contain the situation and separated the two sides, according to Cable TV.

Verbal arguments between localist groups and pro-Beijing activists broke out on the pedestrian area.

At one point, Anna Chan, from pro-Beijing group Caring Hong Kong Power, held a Chinese flag while speaking through a loudspeaker: “Hong Kong is part of China, the Chinese nation shall rise, I am Chinese and patriotism is our duty”.

Her comments were quickly met by jeers from the crowd.

Another prominent pro-Beijing activist, Shek Fong-yau from The Righteous Gang, was also present.

Pro-Beijing activist Anna Chan, wielding the Chinese national flag, delivering a speech amid jeers. Police separated the opposing sides

The clashes continued into the night, with dozens of localist protesters gathered outside the Mong Kok police station at around 11pm in support of those arrested.

Localists gathering outside the Mong Kok police station after the protest (Photo: The Lost Dutch)

A police statement said that they “respect the public’s freedoms of expression, speech and assembly”, and that “resolute enforcement actions will be taken against any illegal acts to preserve public order and safeguard public safety”. 

Photos: Thomas Chan/Coconuts Media
 

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