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Photo of the Day Oct 2019
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 Halloween Protest Walk Tests Mask Ban Undaunted by Heavy Riot Police On Halloween tonight, netizens launched the "Masquerade Halloween" to walk from Victoria Park in Causeway Bay to Lan Kwai Fong in Central. They put on masks of various government officials to express their dissatisfaction with the government and the mask ban. Some bar insiders said that they are not worried that the protest will make Lan Kwai Fong become chaotic. On the contrary, they are worried about the police deployment, which will make the atmosphere tense, resulting in conflicts between police and civilians, and even the use of tear gas. The Lan Kwai Fong Association can arrange security guards to maintain order; Lan Kwai Fong restaurants and bars also said that today's business hours are normal, and they have not considered closing early. The police have publicized in advance to remind shops in the area to close early when necessary in response to police actions to ensure safety. At 7:30 pm, a large crowd gathered in Victoria Park in Causeway Bay. At 8 pm, they started walking towards Central. 3,000 riot police and 3 water cannon trucks were deployed on Hong Kong Island to guard against any eventuality. Police tried to block the march and raised yellow and blue warning flags, but citizens were undaunted and walked towards Lan Kwai Fong. As they passed the Cenotaph in Central, white flowers, candies and chocolate were offered to mourn the Hong Kong people who died because of the movement. Causeway Bay . Hong Kong | 2019 31 Oct 2019  PolyU Students Flashmob to Protest President's Rude Treatment of Masked Graduates On 27 October, at the 25th graduation ceremony of Polytechnic University (PolyU), the new president of PolyU, Teng Jin-guang, who took office in July, refused to shake hands with two graduates wearing masks. The Student Union think that Teng's approach is disrespectful to students and himself. PolyU continues to hold graduation ceremony this week. Some graduates plan a masked flashmob action today to protest against the president and the government's invoking the Emergency Law to pass the mask ban. At 2:30 pm today, a number of PolyU graduates were dressed in black, wearing V-masks. They put up black banners with 'Free Hong Kong', 'Revolution of Our Time' and 'Dare to Speak Up, Not Cowed in Silence', next to the 100-step stairs. They call on the graduates present to participate in the flashmob action. Some students dressed up as Winnie the Pooh carrying placards with 'Free China', attracting cheering support of the students present who asked for joint photos. During the group photo, the graduates held up their hands for '5 Demands, Not One Less' and chanted 'Free Hong Kong, Revolution of Our Time' and 'Hong Kong people, Resist.' Wanchai . Hong Kong | 2019 30 Oct 2019  Hong Kong Bans Joshua Wong from Contesting Election - Blessing in Disguise for Democrats? Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong has been disqualified from entering the upcoming District Council election. Wong is the only person to be disqualified by an electoral officer from the November 24 race. Returning Officer Dorothy Ma, who manages election affairs, asked Wong about his political stance twice before she went on sick leave last week. Laura Liang Aron, the Yau-Tsim-Mong district officer, replaced Ma last Thursday. She asked the Demosisto activist about his political stance for a third time before disqualifying him. In a press release on Tuesday morning, the government said it agreed with the decision which was made over Wong’s advocacy of “self-determination” for Hong Kong. 'The candidate cannot possibly comply with the requirements of the relevant electoral laws, since advocating or promoting ‘self-determination’ is contrary to the content of the declaration that the law requires a candidate to make to uphold the Basic Law and pledge allegiance to the HKSAR.' Joshua Wong responded in a press conference outside Civic Square at 1:30 pm: 'I become the only candidate banned from running in November’s District Council Election as Returning officer, Laura ARON ruled my nomination invalid this morning. It proved how Beijing manipulate the election with political cersorship and screening.' This seems to be bad news for the Democrats, but may be a blessing in disguise. First: It seems that the government will not cancel the district board elections; second: the US Senate may accelerate the passage of Hong Kong's Human Rightd and Democracy Act; third: there will be more people coming out to vote. It doesn't matter if Joshua Wong is running, his Plan B candidate will win. Finally: It is very time-consuming to be a district board member. Joshua Wong's time should be better spent elsewhere, such as lobbying foreign governments. Judy Chan and Kelvin Lam are also running in the South Horizons West constituency. Admiralty . Hong Kong | 2019 29 Oct 2019  Joshua Wong Still Unconfirmed - Litmus Test for Fair and Just Election for Hong Kong? Hong Kong District Council elections is imminent, with 452 constituencies in Hong Kong and more than 1,000 candidates, only Joshua Wong is still unconfirmed as a candidate. The 17 democratic candidates for the Southern District Council election held a rally in Aberdeen yesterday. Joshua Wong said that he did not receive a reply to from the Returning Officer (RO) for the third time last night. It is believed that the 'Returning Officer, the Government and Beijing cannot come to an agreement' as they could not find any legal justification for disqualification (DQ), resulting in repeated delays, and urged the RO to uphold the principle of civil servant political neutrality and make a clear decision based on his reply. Joshua Wong, the only South Horizons West constituency candidate who has not been confirmed. After a sudden last minute change of RO, Wong has replied to the new RO Laura Liang Aron for the third time to reaffirm his political stand and for the first time that Hong Kong independence cannot be an acceptable self-determination option. The Hong Kong Electoral Affairs Commission (EAC) announced the establishment of a Crisis Management Committee. It will provide advice to the EAC on whether to postpone the elections due to bad weather and public safety. The committee has not met at present but it is suspected that the government is paving the way for postponement of the election. Judy Chan of the pro-Beijing New People’s Party and pro-democracy financier Kelvin Lam are also running in South Horizons West. Aberdeen . Hong Kong | 2019 28 Oct 2019  Rally to Investigate Police Brutality at Tsimshatsui Interrupted by Riot Police Last Sunday, claiming to disperse protesters, police attacked religious sites and pedestrians on the streets indiscriminately. Netizens launched a rally to 'Investigate police brutality, safeguard citizens and stand with journalists." Today, they returned to Tsimshatsui at the scene to say no to police brutality. The rally is held at Salisbury Garden in Tsimshatsui at 3 pm today. The organizers have not seek any notice of no objection from the police. In addition to targeting the police, the theme includes standing with reporters and Muslims. When police suppressed the Tsimshatsui march last Sunday, they deliberately sprayed unknown toxic blue liquid towards the mosque with water cannon truck, causing dissatisfaction among Muslims in Hong Kong. Chief Executive Carrie Lam and the Commissioner of Police Lo Wai-chung visited the mosque on the following day to apologise. At 3 pm, the streets near Salisbury Park in Tsim Sha Tsui were flooded with crowds. A large number of riot police were deployed using tear gas to disperse the crowd. The public refused to leave and shouted at the police fir being unreasonable. A lone citizen in casual clothing and no gear stood in front of a large number of riot police, holding up a poster reading "Justice Will Win". Tsimshatsui . Hong Kong | 2019 27 Oct 2019  My photo is the top story on the front page of Master-Insight.  "Police Imperils People's Lives" Healthcarers Protest Police Brutality Flooding Chater Police brutality has been a core grievance for Hong Kong’s protesters, whose fury has been sustained by a regular barrage of social media clips showing officers carrying out violent and indiscriminate arrests, resulting in strong social resentment. A group of medical professionals who love Hong Kong gathered at the Chater Park in Central this evening to condemn police brutality. The healthcare professional who initiated the rally published a 'Letter to Hong Kong People from Healthcare Professionals'. The letter pointed out that after 4 months of anti-extradition movement, the government has turned a deaf ear to the public's demands and invoked a mask ban that creates a devastating division in the society. The police uses excessive violence on the public and imperils people's lives. As medical professionals who safeguard the lives of the citizens on the front line, they are duty-bound to speak out. The healthcare professionals condemn the abuse of power and indiscriminate arrest by the police, ignoring the Hospital Authority Bylaws have reached an unacceptable level. After a pregnant woman was arrested, a male police officer guarded and entered the delivery room. After a 14-year-old boy was shot with live bullet and arrested, a large number of riot police in full gear toted guns in the hospital, and hindered the patients and staff from access. Some police officers have blocked humanitarian rescue and arrested frontline medical and first aid workers. They strongly condemned the police for abuse of power, violence, flaunting laws and regulations, and obstructed volunteers to conduct humanitarian emergency services for victims at the protest site. At 6 pm, people flooded Chater Garden in Central. Some people could only stood on the pavement outside the Court of Final Appeal and chanted "Hong Kong people, Resist". A huge banner "Investigate police brutality, Desire of Hong Kong people", A light panel "Free HK" was hoisted. Central . Hong Kong | 2019 26 Oct 2019  Hong Kong and Catalonia Synchronised Rallies Supporting Each Other Widespread protests in Spain's Catalonia after pro-independence officials were sentenced to harsh prison terms, and Hong Kong held a "Hong Kong-Catalonia Solidarity Rally" at Chater Garden in Central, last night, 3,000 people attended. At the same time in Barcelona, capital of Catalonia, hundreds of people gathered outside the local Chinese consulate to support the Hong Kong protest movement. Ernie Chow, co-organiser of the Hong Kong rally, said, solidarity is the only way against authoritarism, including uniting the people who have been suppressed in other countries. Many Catalans attended the rally and believe that Catalans and Hong Kong people are currently facing similar adversities such as police brutality and undemocratic regimes. They are very surprised and moved by the support of the large number of Hong Kong people, saying that the two governments claim to be democratic, but actually behaving anti-democratically. At the Hong Kong rally, many Catalan flags were flying. At the end, the protesters lit up their phones to show the color of the Catalan flag. A large number of protesters at the Catalan rally held placards with "Free Hong Kong, Revolution of the Time" in Chinese (inset top right image is a screencap of video of The Stand News); the two cities supported each other. Central . Hong Kong | 2019 25 Oct 2019  Thousands Rally to Support Catalonia at Chater Garden Netizens launched a "Hong Kong-Catalonia Solidarity Rally" at Chater Garden tonight, which caused a heated debate on the Internet. Netizens quoted a Twitter post by Solomon Yue, vice-chairman and CEO of Republican Overseas, calling on Hong Kong people not to link the anti-extradition movement to Catalonia independence; some netizens believe that may affect the US Senate support when reviewing the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, and advise the public not to attend. The organiser Ventus Lau said that the rally will be held as scheduled. 'This rally is focused on police brutality in Catalonia and to defend universal values such as human rights and freedom, because they face similar situation as Hong Kong. We will not intervene in the internal affairs of other countries and only deal with humanitarian issues.' Some netizens believe that participation in the rally is tantamount to supporting independence and will be so branded by Beijing. Ernie Chow, co-organiser and former Chinese University student union president, believes that if this logic is used, it will be the same as Beijing branding the movement as separatist. 'If there is separatism, are they not eligible to have human rights and freedom of speech?' At 7 pm, thousands of protesters flooded Chater Garden, including many Spaniards and Catalonians. The waved Catalonian flags and chanted 'Stand with Catalonia.' Central . Hong Kong | 2019 24 Oct 2019  My photo is the top story on the front page of Master-Insight.  Human Chain at British Consulate for BNO Residency Rights Netizens initiated action by British nationals and Hong Kong citizens in Hong Kong to urge the British government and other Commonwealth countries to reach an agreement to provide Hong Kong citizens with a second nationality and a potential residency based on shared core values, including democracy, human rights and international peace, to help Hong Kong escape from the current predicament. At 7:30 pm tonight, over 1,000 gathered in front of the British Consulate General, waving British and Hong Kong flags, building a human chain to show support for the debate on Hong Kong at the House of Lords tomorrow, chanting 'Fight for Freedom, Stand with Hong Kong.' They built a human chain stretching from Hong Kong Park, along the east and west lanes of the Supreme Court Road extending to Justice Drive. Admiralty . Hong Kong | 2019 23 Oct 2019  Rallies at MTR Stations 3 Months After Terror Attack of 21 July 3 months after the 21 July terror attack at Yuen Long, netizens called for a sit-in protest at Yuen Long Station last night on 21 October. MTR Corp closed the station at 2 pm and the nearby shopping malls were shut down. The public changed to stage sit-in protests at MTR stations in 18 districts across the city, to protest against the police's failed enforcement on that day. The police announced that 34 people were arrested for the 21 July attack, but only 6 of them were charged with rioting. On the other hand, over 2,600 protesters were arrested and most of them charged with rioting, showing indiscriminate arrests and injustices. At 7:30 pm, about 80-100 people gathered at Causeway Bay Station, displaying photos and videos of the 21July terror attack, attracting the attention of many passing by. Most of the protesters wore black with masks, chanting "Free Hong Kong, Revolution of the Time" and "Hong Kong people, Resist!" They dispersed near 10 pm, when the subway service ended. 80-90 people also gathered at Taikoo Station. They put lots of photos of Junius Ho, who is the suspected mastermind behind the 21 July attack, for people to trample on. Causeway Bay . Hong Kong | 2019 22 Oct 2019  My photo is the top story on the front page of Master-Insight.  Staff at Hospitals Rally Against Police Brutality Medical staff from the Eastern Hospital, Queen Mary, Caritas, Prince of Wales, Princess Margaret, Northern District and Tuen Mun Hospitals staged a demonstration in their hospitals this afternoon to protest against excessive use of force in police operations, riot police entering Tun Mun Hospital with rifles, and condemned male police entering the delivery room. Some health care workers in non-emergency services believe that they may consider work strikes. At Eastern Hospital in Chaiwan, dozens of medical staff wearing uniforms in the hospital raised the slogan "Hong Kong Police attempted to murder the people of Hong Kong" and "Why can't the medical carers save people"? Some people wear black masks and wear black ribbons. The nurses involved in the operation said that the "so-called minimum force" used by the police during the protests had caused serious damage to the right eye of the demonstrators and believed that the victim might be permanently disabled. 'These are not the minimum force.' It is also said that police officers in the accident and emergency department have blocked the rescue work by different means. For example, some colleagues witnessed the police officers rushing into the consultation room. The nurse pointed out that the rescue work is a race against time. 'A second used is a second delay.' I hope that the police officers will not hinder the rescue work, especially the on-site rescue. Many first-aiders on the scene are also caught and injured by police officers. Another nurse also felt that the police were involved in the arrest and thought that the police "professed to be professional but not professional at all." Chaiwan . Hong Kong | 2019 21 Oct 2019  Kowloon Flooded with Protesters as March Banned Again The Kowloon march by Civil Human Rights Front (CHRF) was opposed again by the police and lost in the appeal. Three ex-legislators, Albert Ho, Leung Kwok-hung (Long Hair), Cy Ho, and the deputy convener of CHRF, Chan Ho-hang, announced that they would take up the march in their personal capacity. The time and place remain unchanged. They call on people to be brave, face white terror together and walk with Hong Kong people. The Kowloon march was scheduled to start at 1:30 pm from Salisbury Garden in Tsimshatsui along Kowloon Park Road to West Kowloon High Speed Rail Station. The theme is to 'Establish an Independent Commission of Inquiry', '5 Demands, Not One Less' and Dissolution of Police Forces. Jimmy Sham, Convenor of CHRF was brutally attacked and hospitalised on Wednesday. Leung Kwok-hung said that in the face of suppression, the people had to come out and resist. "Attacking one is equal to attacking everyone." Even in the face of fear of violence, Hong Kong people are still free from fear and hope that everyone will bravely take to the streets to express their demands. Starting at 1 pm, the streets near Salisbury Garden in Tsimshatsui were full of people. At 1:30 pm, they headed for Jordan. The massive crowd again flooded the streets of Kowloon chanting "5 Demands, Not One Less" "Hong Kong People, Resist!" Tsimshatsui . Hong Kong | 2019 20 Oct 2019  Hong Kong-wide Hand-in-Hand Masked Human Chain at Tsimshatsui Chief Executive Carrie Lam's "Policy Address" is pro-police and MTR but fails to address the demands of the people. To fight against the authoritarianism, people continue to resist. Netizens launched the "Hand-in-hand Masked Human Chain" along the MTR lines last night, to protest against the "mask ban" invoked with the "Emergency Law". At the same time, it demonstrated the unity of the people of Hong Kong to the international community that they will continue to fight against totalitarianism with peaceful and rational means. Tsim Sha Tsui has a strong presence of human chain on the waterfront. More than a dozen people wear masks of Jimmy Sham holding a giant banner "We are all Jimmy Sham" to support the convenor of the Civil Human Rights Front, who was recently attacked by thugs and hospitalised. Someone dressed in white to mimic "Hong Kong Lady Liberty" statue. Some people wear masks of Xi Jinping and Carrie Lam. Tsimshatsui . Hong Kong | 2019 19 Oct 2019  My photo is the top story on the front page of Master-Insight.  Flashmob March in Central to Protest Emergency Law Mask Ban Some netizens feel that police have been arresting indiscriminately with brutality. The Carrie Lam government invoked the Emergency Laws to pass the mask ban is worrying. A 5-district flashmob is planned today, including Hong Kong Island, joint Tsim Sha Tsui x Mong Kok, Kwun Tong and Lai Chi Kok and Kwai Fong. For Hong Kong Island, protesters gathered at Chater Garden in Central at 12:45 pm. Over 1,000 people came and a huge banner reading "People Masked, Carrie Lam Heartless" was hung. The police raised a yellow flag to warn of the illegal assembly but was shouted off by citizens. Most people wear masks undaunted by the mask ban. At 1 pm, the crowd march on the road headed for Pedder Street in Central. They occupied the westbound lane and chanted "HongKongers, Resist." Central . Hong Kong | 2019 18 Oct 2019  College Rally at Design Institute for Truth of Naked Dead Girl (15) at Sea Chan Yin-lam, a 15-year-old competitive swimmer who was ruled to have died by drowning after her body was found floating in the sea near Tseung Kwan O last month. Chan was enrolled on a Vocational Training Council (VTC) youth training course at the Hong Kong Design Institute at the time of her death. Police said there were no marks of violence on her body, although it was found naked, and that her death isn't being treated as suspicious. However, the case was once classified as a "murder" case, but a few days later, the police changed it to "corpse found". The rushed cremation on the morning of the 10 October raised a high level of suspicion. A crying Chan selfie video surfaced saying that she wants to stay behind to question the on-site police commander “what I am doing wrong”. VTC released 16 segments of video, about 20 minutes in total yesterday, showing Yin-lam on campus on 19 September walking around barefoot before leaving the campus. However, the key moments are still missing. Some people even pointed out that the girl in the video is not Yin-lam. There are discrepancies in her facial features and the clothing. 17 colleges and universities signed a joint statement, calling for a rally at 12 noon today at the main quad of the Hong Kong Design Institute. They started with a eulogy followed by 3 minutes of silence. Then student representatives spoke and the floor was open to the public. Many people brought flowers too mourn. Tiu Keng Ling . Hong Kong | 2019 17 Oct 2019  Carrie Lam's Policy Address Aborted as Protesters Surround Legislature The Legislative Council resumes meeting this morning. Chief Executive Carrie Lam delivers her third Policy Address at the meeting at 11 am. Netizens called for protests and surround the Legislative Council building to end the system violence of the legislature, and reaffirm 5 demands, not one less, withdraw the mask ban law and abolish the emergency law! The Government has comprehensively strengthened the security of the Legislative Council a few days ago. It has set up huge barricades outside the Legislative Council, Tamar Park and the Chief Executive's Office, and a large number of riot police have been deployed, ready for expected conflicts. The League of Social Democrats and protesters marched from Admiralty Station, to the Legislative Council Building, carrying a giant banner "Citizens Masked Carrie Lam Heartless". They were stopped midway by police but was allowed to proceed after protest was agreed by senior police. The protesters led by disqualified legislator Leung Kwok-hung (Long Hair) protested before the Legislative Council. In this context, Carrie Lam read the Policy Address, but after a few sentences, it was interrupted by protests by pan-democrat legislators. Legislative Council Chairman Leung Kwan-yin announced the adjournment of the meeting because of the protests. Carrie Lam was unable to continue and left the Legislative Council.and the Policy Address have to be video-broadcasted later. However, Carrie Lam indicated that the Policy Address will focus on improving people's livelihood and attempt to solve the current deep-rooted problems of the society and restore people's confidence on the one country, two systems with land and housing issues, but without discussing political issues. That means there will be no response to demands for genuine universal suffrage. Legislator Charles Mok said that without institutional reforms, even if government spend lots of money, they will not be able to get out of the predicament. "Young people and supporters hope that the struggle for democracy and freedom will lead to democratic universal suffrage." If the government does not respond to the 5 demands, the policy address has no effect at all. Admiralty . Hong Kong | 2019 16 Oct 2019  Government Plans DQ? Joshua Wong & Others Questioned on 'Self-determination' In 2016, a number of elected democratic legislators were disqualified (DQ=Disqualification) by the Hong Kong Government. Looks like it will be repeated this year in the Hong Kong District Council election. On 14 Oct, Joshua Wong, who is running at South Horizons West district, and at least 4 other candidates received a letter from the Returning Officer (RO) questioning that "Hong Kong independence" is an option for 'democratic self-determination' plus 'free Hong Kong, the revolution of the times' and other issues. The candidates' reply will determine the eligibility of their candidacy. Apparently, the government is paving the way to DQ the candidates in a similar fashion. The district council election will be held on the 24 November, the nomination period will end on this Thursday. The pro-establishment faction and the government, knowing that the election results is likely unfavorable to them, is already making excuses that the election could be postponed. In fact, the democratic candidates must first pass the first hurdle to be confirmed as eligible for the election. Most of the democratic candidates have not yet received a confirmation from the RO. Only 22 of the 99 Democratic Party candidates have been confirmed. The Party will issue a lawyer's letter to the district ROs today. Joshua Wong, who is contesting in South Horizons West in the Southern District, issued a message on the social network 13 October, saying that he had received a letter from the district’s RO, Dorothy Ma, asking him to clarify his statement in support for the Basic Law at or before 4:00 pm on 15 October. The RO enquired about the relationship between Wong and the Demosisto Party, which platform includes "Democratic Self-Determination". Wong was asked to explain whether he supports self-determination for HongKongers and whether self-determination includes the option of Hong Kong independence. And if he supports the idea, how can he not violate his Basic Law support statement. Before, the Hong Kong Government used the same arguement to disqualify Agnes Chou Ting from running in the Legislative Council by-election. Joshua Wong said that he would reply openly this afternoon and reiterated: 'I have the right to stand for election and the government has no right to pre-screen.' The government has said repeatedly that the district council election will postponed or even canceled if there were chaos. Choi Chi-keung, Cheung Tat-ming, Cheung Chor-yung, Lee Wing-yi, Chung Kin-wah and other scholars held a press conference yesterday to urge the government not to postpone or cancel the district election, and not to disqualify the candidates again to ensure a fair and just election. Admiralty . Hong Kong | 2019 15 Oct 2019  Rally for Hong Kong Human Rights Law Floods Chater & Central The Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019, to punish those deemed responsible for suppressing freedoms in Hong Kong, was passed by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee. The US Senate and House of Representatives will resume its meeting on October 15 and expected to begin to debate the law. Netizens launch the 'Rally for Hong Kong Human Rights Law' at 7 pm today to support 'punishing those who sell out Hong Kong' and let the US authorities see the demands of Hong Kong people. A notice of no objection has been issued by the police. It is the first approved public rally related to extradition laws after the implementation of the mask ban law. The rally is held at 7 to 9 pm in Chater Garden in Central and the no objection notice is valid until 10:30 pm. They called for protesters to urge the US to pass the bill as soon as possible in a peaceful, rational and elegant manner. At 6 pm before the rally began, thousands flooded Chater Garden on Monday night. Some have to stand on the road outside the Court of Final Appeal. Massive crowd attended, overflowing to Chater Road, Statue Square, Gloucester Road, as far as Hong Kong Station near IFC, flooding the streets of Central. Over 130,000 attended, according to organisers. In addition to reading the declaration and singing "Glory to Hong Kong", the gathering also invited a number of guest speakers, including Joshua Wong, Secretary-General of Demosisto, who had participated in the US Congress hearing earlier, and Dennis Kwok, pan- democrat legislator who have met US Senator Ted Cruz who visited Hong Kong. Central . Hong Kong | 2019 14 Oct 2019 p  My photo is the top story on the front page of Master-Insight.  Lone Protester vs Riot Police Squad - David vs Goliath A masked lone protester carrying a sign 'you can scare us but you can't stop us' was surrounded by a squad of 8 police in riot gear, outside Sogo department store in Causeway Bay this afternoon. The scene is symbolic of the David vs Goliath situation in the current protests in Hong Kong. The giant Goliath, in this case, is the authoritarian Chinese state, the ineffectual chief executive and her government, and the police, whose excessive use of force was found by Amnesty International to be a violation of international law. The lone young female protester only has her protest sign to protect herself psychologically and her mask to shield her identity. But after the recent 'mask ban law' put into effect by Carrie Lam who invoke the colonial-era 'emergency laws', she could be in violation. Causeway Bay . Hong Kong | 2019 13 Oct 2019  My photo is the top story on the front page of Master-Insight.  Tsimshatsui March Against Emergency Law Floods Kowloon Streets For the first time in half a century, Hong Kong government has invoked an colonial era law to ban people from wearing masks during protests. Carrie Lam invoke the Emergency Laws after a special Executive Council meeting on October 4 to implement the "Anti-masked law." The effect is like fueling fire with oil. In the past few days, it has not reduced protests and demonstrations, but has intensified social divisions. Many people responded to a call on the Internet to join the "Anti-emergency law march", held at 3 pm today to protest against the Government's invoking the Emergency Regulations Ordinance, marching from the Clock Tower in Tsim Sha Tsui to the Sham Shui Po Sports Ground. At 2:30 pm, thousands gathered near the Clock Tower and Cultural Centre Plaza in Tsimshatsui. At 3 o'clock, the crowd started marching, occupied the north-bound lanes of Nathan Road and headed for Jordan and Sham Shui Po. Tsimshatsui . Hong Kong | 2019 12 Oct 2019  My photo is the top story on the front page of Master-Insight.  Over 1000 March in Central FlashMob in Support of Arrested Guards & Students Police have arrested 5 security guards on suspicion of obstruction after they tried to block officers from entering MOSTown mall near the Ma On Shan MTR station. Security guards sought to block the door, but the police forcefully entered. The Hong Kong Association of Property Management and Security Workers issued a statement that the arrest operation was obviously aimed at intimidating frontline security guards. It forces them to obey the police under any circumstances and describe that 'police power is excessive and human rights are betrayed.' The Chief Secretary for Administration, Matthew Cheung, together with several Department heads, held an inter-departmental press conference on the afternoon of the 10th. Cheung said that as of today , among the 2,379 arrested persons, there were 104 under the age of 16 and 750 under the age of 18. Some netizens feel that the police arrested indicriminately with excessive force and the situation is heartbreaking. A Central Flashlight March was launched today gathering at Chater Garden at12:30 pm to support the arrested security guards and students. Over 1,000 people joined, and a giant banner "Hong Kong Police Murders Deliberately" was hung. At around 1 pm, the crowd walked out on the road and headed for Pedder Street in Central, occupying the westbound lane. Central . Hong Kong | 2019 11 Oct 2019  Flag Raising at Red House on 108th Anniversary of 1911 Revolution 108 year ago today, the Revolution of 1911 broke out. Sun Yat-sen adopted the Three People's Principles as a Platform to establish a revolutionary organisation, armed uprising, and successfully overthrown the Qing Dynasty. The "Democratic Front" holds a rally at the Red House in Tuen Mun every year to commemorate the anniversary of the revolution. The Double Ten commemorative activities initiated by netizens are flourishing in all districts today. Hung Lau (Red House), a Grade I historic building, was built between 1905 and 1910 on former farmland in Pak Kok, Tuen Mun. It was used by the Hsing Chung Hui (Revive China Society) as a base for revolutionary activities against the Qing dynasty. It is named for its red-pigmented external surface rendering. The two-storey house is a mix of Chinese and Western influences. Adjacent to the house is a park commemorating Dr Sun Yat-sen who founded the Republic of China and one of few places in Hong Kong where the flag of the Republic is hoisted continuously. Tuen Man . Hong Kong | 2019 10 Oct 2019  Journalist Assn Decries Uncivilised Removal of Reporters' Mask by Police Chris Yeung, Chairman of Hong Kong Journalists' Association, has complained that the security chief has broken his promise that journalists will be exempt from the anti-mask law after police violently ripped masks off several reporters, which was an uncivilised act. Secretary for Security John Lee Ka-chiu had stated journalists were exempt from the anti- mask law, which came into effect through emergency regulations at midnight on Saturday. In a legal letter, the Hong Kong Journalists Association said it received numerous complaints from members who had been ordered by police, often in an aggressive manner, to remove their masks, or had their masks "violently removed" by police. This happened even when the journalists clearly displayed their press credentials and were wearing high-visibility vests and helmets marked "Press," the association added. It sought a "most urgent clarification" from the secretaries for justice and security, as well as the Commissioner of Police, on the applicability of the law to journalists doing their work. It also asked if a journalist who wears a facial covering when reporting on a public event commits an offense under the anti-mask law. The association also called on police officers to present their warrant cards and remove facial coverings when verifying the identities of journalists so journalists may verify the identity of the officer and record their warrant card number. Admiralty . Hong Kong | 2019 9 Oct 2019  Frontline Reporter Figure "Made by Hong Kong People" On 18 August, at the protest rally in Victoria Park in Causeway Nay, figures of front-line protesters and demonstration paraphernalia in 1 to 6 scale was exhibited. The exquisite craftmanship and highly realistic models left a deep impression with the audience. Afterwards, they were exhibited in different rallies or public events. Each time, a large number of participants and passers-by will take pictures, post on social media and spread online. Mr C, one of the creators of "Made by Hong Kong people", said that there were only four models in the past, but felt that journalists had the most difficult role, so they deliberately designed additional models to thank reporters for their silent effort on the front line. The model uses a classic reflective vest and a must-have gas mask. The helmet specifically has the word "PRESS". The details of the press card and the camera are also intentional. Admiralty . Hong Kong | 2019 8 Oct 2019  Chung Yeung Memorial Service at Prince Edward Mourns Anti-extradition Deaths For nearly 4 months of the Anti-China Extradition movement, many people have committed suicide. In addition, rumours are rife of arrested person being killed in the San Uk Ling Detention Centre and Protesters being killed at Prince Edward MTR Station on 31 August. Although the Government has repeatedly clarified that no one has died, the public still set up an altar of flower at the Prince Edward Station. Today is Chung Yeung Festival, netizens and a Christian group "Disciple Media" launched a "Chung Yeung Memorial Service for Anti-Extradition Martyrs" at the Prince Edward Station at 7 pm, mourning 9 who had passed away, the 3 missing on 31 August and numerous people who died mysterously in the the last months. Hundreds of people gathered outside Exit B1 of Prince Edward Station, offering flowers and burning joss paper. A large white banner reading 'Police murder people here.' On 31Aug 31, about 11 pm, riot police, including members of the Special Tactical Squad 'Raptors', stormed Prince Edward subway station in Mong Kok. Riot police were filmed by journalists rushing into subway carriages and viciously and indiscriminately assaulting passengers with batons and pepper spray, leaving many passengers cowering and bleeding. The station was then closed for 2 days. 3 seriously injured went missing and suspected to be killed by police. MTR Subway refused to show CCTV footage. Mongkok . Hong Kong | 2019 7 Oct 2019  My photo is the top story on the front page of Master-Insight.  Protesters Defy Emergency Mask Ban and Rain - Flooding Hong Kong Streets Tens of thousands of masked Hongkongers marched from Causeway Bay to Central on the second day after the government issued an anti-mask law by invoking the colonial era Emergency Regulations Ordinance. The crowd first gathered outside Sogo department store in Causeway Bay at around 2 pm chanting “Hongkongers, resist!” “Mask wearing not guilty!” The streets were full of citizens deliberately wearing masks to challenge the new legislation. Police did not intervene. At 2:30 pm, the crowd took up the westbound Hennessy Road and headed for Central. People pointed out that Carrie Lam government mismanaged and did not heed public opinion. The mask ban after the first "community dialog" aroused greater public anger. They are most dissatisfied that the public cannot wear mask but the police can, condoning more and more serious police brutality, and worried that the government will invoke further emergency laws to stop Internet access, start curfew and martial law at any time. A huge banner reading "Glory to Hong Kong" led the march. In addition to the usual chants like "5 demands, no one less", new ones are "Mask wearing not guilty, protest is reasonable" and "HongKonger, resist". Protesters raised their umbrellas and occupied all east and west-bound lanes in Causeway Bay and Wanchai proceeding to Central, undaunted by occasional heavy rain. 24 Hong Kong democrat legislators challenged the mask ban with jydicial review in High Court this morning, accusing leader Carrie Lam of 'usurping the legislature'. The Bar Association said that invoking Emergency Law for the mask ban is unconstitutional. Causeway Bay . Hong Kong | 2019 6 Oct 2019  'HongKongers Resist' Citywide as Emergency Law Mask Ban Escalates Conflicts More mass protests were sparked on Friday after the Hong Kong government invoked emergency legislation to ban masks at protests, which came into effect at midnight last night. The government said the law, banning people from wearing masks at any lawful or unlawful demonstration, was intended to halt violent protests. Before the announcement was made, thousands of protesters marched in Central – the main business district of Hong Kong, in opposition to the emergency legislation. (reported yesterday below and here) After the law was announced at 3pm, thousands wearing masks gathered in Central again and blocked Connaught Road Central near Exchange Square. The city exploded in anger. Protests and rallies were held in 18 districts questioning the government's hidden agenda to pave the way for the 'Emergency Law.' Protest rallies resulting in roads blocked in at least 6 districts of Hong Kong Island, including Central, Admiralty, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay, Tai Koo, and even Aberdeen, for the first time. "Hong Kong people, resist" was the new chant. Protesters damaged China-related and pro-police businesses along the way. MTR stations were closed the station due to arson. Riot police were deployed in various districts at 10 pm and fired tear gas to clear the scene. In Central, over 10,000 people rallied at Pedder Street and Conaught Road Central near Exchange Square. Traffic has stalled as too many people had flooded the roads. Afterwards, the massive crowd marched toward Admiralty. Harcourt Road outside Admiralty Station and government headquarters was also occupied, and both east and west-bound traffic lanes were blocked. In Causeway Bay, thousands of people gathered outside Sogo Department Store while someone waved the black flag reading "Free Hong Kong, Revolution of the Time". Both east and west- bound traffic lanes were occupied. More than a dozen buses could not pass and parked at the road. MTR Causeway Bay Station was closed. At around 9 pm, some people were dissatisfied with the station closure and set fire to Exit E and activated fire sprinklers at Exit F1. Firemen were despatched. In Wabchai, numerous people gathered near Canal Road. The giant statue of Lady Liberty of Hong Kong in full gear appeared. Public sentiment was high and chanted '5 Demands, Not One Less' and 'Hong Kong People, Resist'. Hong Kong Island . Hong Kong | 2019 5 Oct 2019  My photo is the top story on the front page of Master-Insight.  Anti-Emergency Law March Flooded Chater Garden and Central Many sources reveal that the government will invoke a British colonial-era law for the first time in half a century to ban people from wearing masks at protests. Carrie Lam will invoke the Emergency Laws after the Executive Council meeting this morning at the government headquarters. It is reported that the authorities will implement the "Anti-mask Law" under the pretext of conflicts and escalation of violence in more than 11 districts. The law will prohibit citizens from wearing mask at illegal gatherings or violent demonstrations. The law will provide some exemptions but it is not known whether police officers can continue to wear mask. Denis Kwok Wing-hang, legislator of Civic Party, strongly opposes the government's 'Anti- Mask Law' under the 'Emergency Law'. It is believed that the activation of the 'Emergency Law' gives the Chief Executive and Executive Council almost absolute power to enact any law without the review function of the Legislative Council. The administration may even use the Emergency Law to prohibit demonstrations, disable the Internet, and cancel the district elections at the end of next month. It can be seen that "the Emergency Law is the Pandora's box. Once opened, further evil will inevitably come." Kowk believes that the implementation of the Anti-mask Law will not reduce the number of people on the streets, but will intensify divisions in the society. He believes that some people will submit a judicial review on the Anti-mask Law because there is no law in Hong Kong which can violate the Basic Law. Kwok also pointed out that the SAR Government had stated in a document to the United Nations in November 1999 that if the "Emergency Law" were cited, it would be submitted to the Legislative Council. He asked Carrie Lam whether she still complied with this commitment. According to the document, the Hong Kong Government means that the regulations enacted by the Emergency Law are subject to Article 39 of the Basic Law, and the relevant laws and regulations are subsidiary legislation and are subject to review by the Legislative Council. Netizens launched a march in the Chater Garden in Central at 12:30 today to protest the Anti-mask Law and marched towards Central. Protesters flooded the Chater Garden and the adjacent streets in Central. Central . Hong Kong | 2019 4 Oct 2019  Record 1400 Tear Gas 1300 Shots Fired 269 Arrested on 1 Oct Hong Kong police on 1 Octiber fired around 1,400 tear gas canisters, 900 rubber bullets, 190 beanbag rounds, 230 sponge bullets, deployed water cannon trucks and fired 6 shots in 4 incidents – setting a new record for ammunition fired and people arrested by the city's law enforcement in a single day. The Deputy Commissioner of Police, Tang Ping-keung, defended the shooting of an 18-year-old protester with live ammunition, saying that the officer was 'aiming for centre mass' in accordance with international standards. When asked about if the policeman has violated the police code when shooting at a close distance at the chest which could kill a person, Tang replied, 'Is it definite that we cannot shoot someone to death? It is also not possible that we can stop one’s activity without shooting people dead.' Of the 269 people arrested, the highest in the past four months, 93 are students and the youngest is only 12 years old. A total of 178 men and 91 women, aged between 12 and 71. When 93 were students, each person was suspected of possessing offensive weapons, illegal assembly, etc., and did not rule out future control. More crimes. In the Sep 29 Admiralty clash, 96 people were arrested for involvement in the riots, a total of 80 men and 16 women, aged 14 to 46. Causeway Bay . Hong Kong | 2019 3 Oct 2019  Public Doctors Assn Strongly Condemns Police for Shooting Citizens Execution Style The Hong Kong Public Doctors Association strongly condemns the Hong Kong police for using excessive force to clear and shooting protesters. That is deliberately shooting the public and criticizing the police officers for choosing a more lethal pistol to injure the left chest. The act is basically the same as an execution. The association said in a statement that at 4 o'clock in the afternoon, during the clearance of the Tsuen Wan, a police officer armed with a beanbag gun and a pistol shot a Form 5 student at a close range, and prevented others from helping. The relevant behaviour seriously exceeded the level of force that the police should use. The police said on social media that the person was injured near the shoulder, instead of being injured in the left chest, seriously distorting the facts. The Association pointed out that frontline police officers are hostile to the citizens, journalists and medical staff, and do not respect the demonstrations and basic rights of the people of Hong Kong. The police high-level officials have not only failed to review them, but have repeatedly defended their faults. The actions have ruined the professional image of police built up from many years. It not only causes more people in Hong Kong to suffer unnecessary harm, but also pushes the Hong Kong police against the public and seriously damages Hong Kong's international image. UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said in a statement: 'Whilst there is no excuse for violence, the use of live ammunition is disproportionate, and only risks inflaming the situation.' (Screen cap of HKUSU Campus TV video, used with Creative Commons) Tsuen Wan . Hong Kong | 2019 2 Oct 2019  National Day Protest March is On Despite Ban, Flooding Streets of Hong Kong Pro-democracy leaders Lee Cheuk-yan, Albert Ho, Leung Kwok-Hung (aka Long Hair) and Chan Ho-hang say they will organise a protest march on 1 October that will mirror the route of the Civil Human Rights Front demonstration banned by the police. The secretary-general of the Confederation of Trade Unions, Lee Cheuk-yan, said they will not apply for a "letter of no objection" for the march, because Hong Kong people's freedom to protest is already enshrined in the Basic Law and doesn't require the authorities' approval. The march, from East Point Road in Causeway Bay to Central's Chater Road, is slated to start at 1pm. Lee said they want to show the world that this year's National Day – which also marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China – is a day of shame, not celebrations. An appeal board had earlier agreed with the police that in light of recent clashes following protests, a National Day march would pose a threat to people's safety. The Civil Human Rights Front promptly announced that its protest march was therefore cancelled. At 12:30 pm, massive number of people started gathering at East Point Road outside Sogo Department Store and the neighbouring street. Tens of thousands of protesters flooded the streets of Hong Kong Island once again. Causeway Bay . Hong Kong | 2019 1 Oct 2019 Archive: Sep Aug Jul Jun May Apr Mar Feb Jan 2019 Dec Nov Oct Sep Aug Jul Jun May Apr Mar Feb Jan 2018 Dec Nov Oct Sep Aug Jul Jun May Apr Mar Feb Jan 2017 Dec Nov Oct Sep Aug Jul Jun May Apr Mar Feb Jan 2016 Dec Nov Oct Sep Aug Jul Jun May Apr Mar Feb Jan 2015 Dec Nov Oct Sep Aug Jul Jun May Apr Mar Feb 2014 |
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