Thousands of People Gathered to Protest Against HK New Security Laws Despite COVID-19 Outbreak

The fear of a new protest has finally come true for Hong Kong.

In case you don’t remember, back in 2019, there was a huge protest in Hong Kong due to the controversial Extradition Bill.

Oh, well, many, in fact.

The now-scrapped bill would have allowed Hong Kong to hand over criminals to Mainland China.

The protest for that has since subsided due to the outbreak of COVID-19. However, yesterday (24 May), tear gas and water cannon were fired at Hong Kong protesters- the most intense clashes for months.

The cause of the protest?

A new controversial security law proposed by China.

New National Security Law For Hong Kong

In order to tackle the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, China has proposed a security law for Hong Kong. 

The new law would prohibit “treason, secession, sedition and subversion” against the Chinese government.

And that sparked everything.

The Protest  

Thousands have since gathered and chanted slogans in the Causeway Bay and Wan Chai districts. Some masked protesters had set up makeshift barricades to stop police vehicles.

Campaigners warned that the proposal could spell the end of Hong Kong’s treasured freedoms.

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The riot police were deployed after protesters had ignored earlier warnings from authorities against the unauthorised assembly. Needless to say, protesters have violated Hong Kong’s current coronavirus-linked law banning public gatherings of more than eight people.

A protest this big definitely would have more than eight people. 

A 25-year-old protester Vincent told AFP that people may now be “criminalised only for words they say or publish opposing the government”.

He thinks that Hong Kongers are frustrated because they “didn’t expect this to come so fast and so rough”.

“But… we won’t be naive as to believe that Beijing will simply sit back and do nothing. Things will only get worse here,” he said.

Tear Gas and Pepper Spray

Hong Kong police fired tear gas and pepper spray in an attempt to disperse the crowd of protesters.

At least 180 people were arrested.

Majority of them came from the protest in Causeway Bay and Wan Chai districts. At a smaller demonstration in Tsim Sha Tsui, the protesters there were detained.

Protesters were also accused of injuring at least four police officers.

The “extremely violent and illegal acts” of the protesters were condemned by the Hong Kong government. They reinforced “the need and urgency of the legislation on national security”.

Trending On Twitter 

Videos and images of the new protest have made its way onto Twitter’s trending page.

China’s new “national security law” is already being used to crack down on peaceful pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong.

We must stand up to the CCP. #StandWithHongKong

pic.twitter.com/dYK5LwbkjR

— Lance Gooden (@Lancegooden) May 24, 2020

see how Hong Kong Police treat the journalists #StandWithHongKong #PressFreedom #PoliceBrutality pic.twitter.com/XHOZnmZ6f2

— hongkonger19 (@hongkonger191) May 24, 2020

The riot police fire a mutiple of tear gas without warning before the start of the first major protest against Beijing’s plan to directly impose national security laws in Hong Kong. https://t.co/TiwlP2t7LK

— placemother (@wuyuenyungoutl1) May 25, 2020

Hong Kong today 2020-05-24
The popo fired at civilian and hurting Hongkonger for overtime payment. Actually, these animals are bandif and Highwayman, kidnapped young girls walking along doing nothing’s. WHAT YOU WANT ? pic.twitter.com/y3nUwTdUOr

— Dick Cheng (@DickCheng9) May 24, 2020

Hong Kongers’ Fear 

So why are they protesting?

A concern that many have is a provision that allows China security agents to operate in Hong Kong. They could launch a crackdown against those dissenting the mainland’s communist rulers.

Despite the alarm in Hong Kong and some Western capitals, Chinese and city officials have insisted the proposed law is needed to prevent unrest and protect national security.

Hong Kong’s Defence Over New Proposal 

Hong Kong’s pro-Beijing leader Carrie Lam has defended the new law saying that it was necessary to protect national security and punish “violent political elements”.

China’s legislature is expected to sign off on the draft resolution on Thursday, the last day of the annual parliamentary gathering.

The details of the legislation would be fleshed out at another meeting at a later date.

The law would then be implemented locally, according to officials.

And if you remember, the proposed bill that sparked the 2019 protest was completely withdrawn after the protests.

One can only wonder what the next few days would be like over in Hong Kong.

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