Hong Kong’s chief executive on Friday invoked a colonial-era law that bans face coverings at public gatherings, a move squarely aimed at protesters who have taken to the streets for four months.
As she spoke, thousands of protesters poured into the city streets, chanting, “Hong Kongers, resist!” and “Disband the police!”Some burned Chinese flags and patriotic banners. Others vandalized restaurants reputed to be pro-Beijing. Many were spontaneous protesters coming out of school, work or home: office workers in suits, elderly couples, children in school uniforms, and men and women carrying laptops or purses.People protest a government ban on face masks in Hong Kong.
Riot police fire tear gas at protesters at Causeway Bay area in Hong Kong, as people hit the streets after the government announced a ban on facemasks Charles, 38, an office worker in a buttoned-up shirt and wearing a surgical mask, said he planned to wear a mask every day from now on. The law gives the government a wide range of options deemed in the public interest, including the power to execute arrest, detention, deportation, censorship of media, seizure of property, search and entry of premises, control of ports and all transport, and suppression of publications and communications.
He said he expected the government to later declare the mask ban ineffective and escalate to a curfew, possible internet shutdown and other controls. Meanwhile, without a legal way to resist the government’s emergency powers, people would resort to further civil disobedience.
HongKongers, resist! We will be stronger and braver, in order to resist the tyranny. HongKongProtests EmergencyLaw
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I forgot, the police also shoots at children in the US. Sometimes fatally
8Boat2 To those of you who think this is a good thing: No. By acting under the Emergency Regulations, HK govt can impose whatever law they want without needing to go through the legislative process. It will have far greater applications than just banning masks. For example censorship
Criminals wear masks as they are ashamed of their actions
Update: A 14-year-old was shot with live ammunition by a police officer amid protests in Hong Kong. Medical authorities confirmed that the 14-year-old protester was shot in the leg and hospitalized.
Then they’ll release them on a lower charge 🙄
CarrieLam enacts anti-mask law by invoking Emergency Regulation Ordinance, bypassing standard legislative procedures. Hong Kong has entered de facto emergency state. It’s dangerous as HK gov’t can enact any laws to suppress freedoms of Hongkongers.
The 2 faced democratic politicians wear one every day.
Just wear a burqa, that would be no problem at all...
Good law! Civil rights protesters never needed masks!! Why should lawless Antifa be allowed to hide?!