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SCMP Reporters

Hong Kong is marking Mid-Autumn Festival on Friday night a little differently to usual, with demonstrators gathering in public parks and climbing the city's iconic Lion Rock and Victoria Peak to form human chains.
Demonstrators also plan to sing Glory to Hong Kong - the latest theme song of the movement - in various shopping malls across the city, as well as in public playgrounds in Hung Hom, Mong Kok, Sai Ying Pun and Wan Chai.
For the first time ever, the MTR Corporation will not provide overnight services for the festival, citing safety concerns amid escalating violence at its stations. All stations will close at the normal time, although trains have been running more frequently since 3pm.
Follow the evening's events in our live blog below.
Reporting by  Sum Lok-kei, Alvin Lum, Chris Lau, Sarah Zheng, Yujing Liu, Gigi Choy, Holly Chik, Linda Lew, Victor Ting, Danny Mok, Karen Zhang and Tony Cheung


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Hong Kong’s tourists deserve to be respected no matter how much they spend

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Mid-Autumn Festival

As it happened: Hong Kong protesters mark Mid-Autumn Festival with human chains and public gatherings

A human chain on Lion Rock on Friday evening. Photo: Martin Chan

News

Hong Kong

Politics


Demonstrators also plan to sing Glory to Hong Kong in various shopping malls across the city
The MTR Corporation will not provide overnight services for the festival for the first time ever, citing safety concerns



Demonstrators also plan to sing Glory to Hong Kong in various shopping malls across the city while the MTR has cancelled its overnight service for the festival for the first time ever.


Live

Citing fears of unrest, an appeal board upheld a police ban on a march in Tin Shui Wai on Saturday, as well as one planned for Sunday from Causeway Bay to Central organised by the Civil Human Rights Front.


Appeal board upholds police bans

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor has visited a home for the elderly in Shau Kei Wan to hand out mooncakes for the Mid-Autum Festival, according to local residents. 
A resident of Yiu Tung Estate said Lam and her entourage visited Women's Welfare Club (Eastern District) Hong Kong Ng Siu Mui Home cum Care and Attention Unit for the Elderly. He said they stayed for less than 15 minutes.
The man said he and his partner were the only ones around when the group entered the home through a back entrance.
“I asked Lam, ‘Where‘s your conscience?’ but she did not respond." he said. "She seemed to be afraid of meeting the neighbors and members of the public.”
Police at the site looked tense but were polite, the man said.
About 100 Shau Kei Wan residents later gathered outside the home and chanted slogans. Police later arrived and formed a line.
Photo: Telegram

 


Carrie Lam visits home for elderly  

Some restaurants are reporting a hit to their usual bustling Mid-Autumn Festival service, where large family groups typically reserve tables in advance for dinner and mainland tourists are drawn to the city for their holiday weekend.
A manager at Fu Sing Shark Fin Seafood Restaurant in Wan Chai reported “a significant drop” in reservations for Friday night, while Cloudland Chinese Cuisine in Tsim Sha Tsui said 30 per cent of tables were booked compared with 90 per cent in the past.
The fall in reservations is mostly due to tourists rather than local diners, who are still coming out to celebrate, according to restaurateurs.
 


Restaurants feel pinch

Internet users have launched the third round of a global advertising campaign by protesters, this time targeting the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
As of 6pm, it had raised HK$4.6million, more than half of the HK$8 million target. 
According to spokesman Tony, they wanted to protest against what he says is mainland China’s increasing interference in local affairs while also calling for international support.  
“The cause of the entire movement it to ask Chinese rulers to respect Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy,” he says. 
Tony says the previous campaigns helped increased global attention on Hong Kong and countered moves from the government, which also placed commercials in major international papers.
The government has shelved the extradition bill, but protesters have a number of other demands.


Funding under way for third advertising campaign 

Police officers are on patrol on The Peak, a popular tourist destination and one of the city's most upmarket areas.
There is an online call to form a human chain in the area at around 9pm.



Peak patrol

On The Peak, about 100 people have gathered ahead of a human chain event.
The crowd sang the popular protest song Glory to Hong Kong and chanted slogans such as "Liberate Hong Kong, a revolution of our times".
In line with the festive spirit, people also chanted "Happy Mid-Autumn Festival".


Crowd of about 100 gather on Peak

Jimmy Sham, convenor of the Civil Human Rights Front, says they have no choice but to cancel a march planned for Sunday after losing an appeal against a police ban.
But he says the front will continue to apply for events on September 28 and October 1.
"The appeal's result is very disappointing," Sham says. "We believe Hongkongers have the right to hold assemblies and marches. This should not be suppressed by police."


Front to cancel march after losing appeal

On The Peak, a young man in black clothes and a mask, who calls himself Yannick, says he feels that spending the festival with other Hongkongers is the same as with his family.
He says Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam's withdrawal of the extradition bill is useless. That was one of the key demands of protesters.
"It may be better if an independent probe [into police actions] is set up," he says.



Withdrawal of extradition bill 'useless'

Lantau Island resident Elsie Chan King-yee, 36, is in Victoria Park in Causeway Bay with her husband, daughter, seven, and son, six, to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Chan says she is not too worried about the night getting rough if protests break out.
"We trust the protesters," she says. "Also, things are going to stay this way for a while. How can you avoid them?" 


Family not too worried by protests

Hundreds of residents are heading to Lion Rock from Lok Fu MTR station in Kowloon.
An early group, which started off at around 5pm, has already reached the top of the hill.



Hundreds heading to Lion Rock

The view from the top of Lion Rock. 

Photo: Chow Ke-chap


View from top

Police vehicles are parked outside the Admiralty Centre, across the road from the government headquarters in Tamar, but there is no sign of officers on the street.
Protesters have set up a memorial nearby but there is no police presence.

 
 


All quiet around Admiralty Centre

A crowd on The Peak is forming a human chain with lights in their hands, chanting slogans such as "Liberate Hong Kong, a revolution of our times".
Earlier at the Peak, about 100 people gathered ahead of the human chain event, singing songs and chanting slogans
Video: SCMP/Sum Lok-kei pic.twitter.com/uEh5UCgYZD
— SCMP Hong Kong (@SCMPHongKong) September 13, 2019
 
A human chain forms at the Peak, with demonstrators chanting protest slogans such as "Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times"
Video: SCMP/Sum Lok-kei pic.twitter.com/zRrNZkMX48
— SCMP Hong Kong (@SCMPHongKong) September 13, 2019
 


Human chain forms on Peak

Lawyer and regular hiker James says the government is out of touch with the people, so he feels he has to join the walk up Lion Rock. 
He wants the government to respond to protesters' key demands and says it has been slow to tackle housing problems, while sitting on a massive surplus. 
“The government should have done that immediately after the 2014 Occupy movement,” he says, referring to the 79-day campaign for greater democracy.


Government 'too slow in tackling housing issues'

It's been a rough month for shopowner Bala Neeraj and her family in Sham Shui Po. In a night of chaotic protests on August 5, Neeraj, 40, was hit on the foot by the shell of a tear gas canister fired from Sham Shui Po Police Station across the road onto the pavement in front of her shop.
Neeraj, who came to Hong Kong more than 20 years ago from India, was closing the shutters of her food and grocery shop when police dispersed demonstrators nearby. Her daughter, nine, fell as the family fled in panic, and her seven-year-old son has been having nightmares since then.
"My son can't sleep, because he remembers all the chaos of that night. Now he panics whenever he hears police sirens and asks us to close the shutters quickly," says Neeraj's husband Rbani Ghulam, 43.
Sham Shui Po district has seen at least three confrontations between protesters and police over the past month.
The family's shop now closes as early as 5pm, instead of the normal 11pm.
"Our business is down by at least 50 per cent," Ghulam says, adding that many customers are Indians and Pakistanis who live all over Hong Kong and will not risk visiting the area now.
"We are just worried about the situation now, because we live here and Hong Kong is in our heart," Ghulam says. "This is not good for Hong Kong."



Tough month for family

Hundreds of people are lining the streets on The Peak, stretching from Findlay Road, passing Lion's Pavilion and Peak Plaza to Lugard Road.


Hundreds line streets on Peak

In Victoria Park, hundreds are chanting slogans such as “Liberate Hong Kong, a revolution of our times” while gathering on the lawn. 
The crowd is beginning to build up. Many are holding up yellow lanterns against the full moon. The lanterns are decorated with their demands and encouraging messages.
A large lantern has been turns into a makeshift "Lennon wall" which people have adorned with sticky notes. "Hongkongers, add oil," they also chant.




Crowd growing in Victoria Park

Families, some with infants and small children, are celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival at a harbourfront park in Quarry Bay, where protesters are gathering.
Protesters started singing and shining lasers pointers at 8.30pm but the mother of a one-year-old child says she is not worried.
"As long as they remain peaceful, it is acceptable," says Man, in her 30s.
At Quarry Bay Park, protesters sing Glory to Hong Kong while shining the lights on their phones
Video: SCMP/Holly Chik pic.twitter.com/OqUb1g8W0d
— SCMP Hong Kong (@SCMPHongKong) September 13, 2019


Protesters gather at harbourfront park

Dozens of residents have gathered at Tung Chau Street Park in Sham Shui Po to make paper lanterns, with some writing protest slogans on them.
Oscar Chan, 27, organised the lantern-making event in a joint effort with demonstrators from all districts.
"I really hope people can come together during this festival through peaceful means. Reunion doesn't just mean being with your family, it also means the whole of Hong Kong should be standing together," Chan (pictured) says.
Chan, who works in retail management, bought lanterns and snacks with his own money, spending more than HK$2,000. Three volunteers are helping him. 
At 10pm, he will call on people to chant anti-government slogans and then 30 minutes later, protesters will sing songs.



Organiser hopes people come together peacefully

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam has posted on her Facebook page photos of her brief and unannounced visit to a home for the elderly in Yiu Tung Estate, Shau Kei Wan, in the afternoon.
“Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival and I have visited friends in various districts to deliver festive blessings," she wrote. "And I wish all Hongkongers a warm mid-autumn.”
About half of the comments left on the post were protest slogans calling for “five demands, not one less”.
 


Festive blessings from Lam - and Facebook posts from protesters  

The route up to Lion Rock is blocked with protesters, with little movement for 30 minutes. Hikers are taking alternatives routes from Kowloon Peak and Beacon Hill to reach the hill.



Uphill struggle

"Free HK” is spelled out with lit candles in Admiralty. 
 



Admiralty candles

A footbridge near Velodrome Park in Tseung Kwan O has been turned into “Lennon steps” - as opposed to the usual "Lennon wall" - with colourful stickers plastered on it to form a message “TKO loves HK”.
Hundreds of residents also gathered in the park to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with lanterns and mooncakes.
People also formed a line near Po Lam MTR station in Tseung Kwan O. Protesters chanted slogans, with some holding lanterns.

Photo: Desmond Lau Kin-hei


'Lennon steps' rise in TKO   

Hundreds of residents have formed a human chain stretching along the harbourfront promenade from Sai Wan Ho to Tai Koo Shing.

 


Another human chain

At Hung Hom Ferry Pier, around 300 people are belting out Do You Hear The People Sing and Glory to Hong Kong, popular songs for protesters.
At 9.30pm, a participant suggested a minute's silence to remember protesters "sacrificed" during the movement.
 


About 300 gather at Hung Hom pier

Protesters who have gathered at a memorial in Admiralty to mourn those who had committed suicide since June bow their heads in respect. 
Earlier, around 100 people sang Glory to Hong Kong and chanted protest slogans there.
People bowing in respect at a memorial near government headquarters in Admiralty
Video: SCMP/Gigi Choy pic.twitter.com/kiT0I4s7aV
— SCMP Hong Kong (@SCMPHongKong) September 13, 2019

Around 100 people sing Glory to Hong Kong and shout popular protest slogans in Admiralty
Video: SCMP/Gigi Choy pic.twitter.com/uNfLrYaACL
— SCMP Hong Kong (@SCMPHongKong) September 13, 2019


Admiralty memorial

 A procession is heading from the Victoria Park lawn, with protesters singing and holding lanterns in the air. The people are beginning to circle around the park perimeter.




Procession in park

The popular song Glory to Hong Kong has also been ringing out in front of exit B1 of Prince Edward MTR next to Mong Kong Police Station. The exit, which is closed, has been turned into a shrine of flowers and small paper lanterns.
Several dozen people have gathered and are lighting incense, burning paper and chanting protests slogans.



Protesters also at station exit

The crowd cheers as some protesters announce that their human chain has covered the entire length of the Quarry Bay promenade.


Cheers on promenade  

Sham Shui Po resident Mrs Choi says she felt annoyed by anti-government protesters on Friday night.
"The festive mood was affected somewhat," says the 60-year-old, strolling with her husband in Tung Chau Street Park, where more than 100 people had gathered to chant protest slogans and songs.
Her husband, a decorator, was unable to go to work twice because of MTR disruptions.
"There is no use interviewing me. Interview Xi Jinping - when is he going to quash all of this? Hong Kong is getting out of control," he says.
Mrs Choi, however, says she supports the demonstrations as long as they are peaceful.


Annoyed by protesters

On the second floor of Times Square shopping mall in Causeway Bay, a group of musicians, some in masks, played Glory to Hong Kong and Do You Hear the People Sing at around 10pm. Hundreds joined in to sing the words. 
The group continued to perform Glory to Hong Kong for 15 minutes amid loud cheers and shouts of encouragement.



Songs in Times Square  

Riot police have raised a blue flag in Hung Hom, warning people near the Harbourview Horizon serviced apartment complex that their assembly is unlawful and urging them to disperse or they may face force.




Police raise warning flag in Hung Hom

Protesters believe they have found an undercover police officer filming the crowd and shout insults at her.
She claims to be a freelance journalist doing a live broadcast on Twitter, but calls continue for her to produce a press pass.
The woman, a journalist named Acacia Chan who contributes to Happs, leaves the field.
 



Journalist targeted

In Yuen Long, a white paint-like substance was thrown from a building. A pedestrian below appeared to have been injured.
Others came to his aid, pouring water on him. Angry protesters then used torches and laser beams to point at the building near Yuen Long Theatre and opened their umbrellas.
They shouted and cursed at those involved and told them to come down. 
Paint balls were thrown at least three times from the building, triggering more laser beams being pointed at the suspected flat. 
 


Paint balls thrown from building

In Quarry Bay, a protester is urging others to leave peacefully, saying police are on their way to the park. He said he learned that the police has been called.


Protester urging others to leave park

About 300 people have gathered outside Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre. They are chanting anti-government slogans and calling for arrested protesters to be released.
Protesters sing their latest theme song ‘Glory to Hong Kong’ outside Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre to support those arrested.
Video: SCMP/Linda Lew pic.twitter.com/gZsAF9qvZe
— SCMP Hong Kong (@SCMPHongKong) September 13, 2019




Protesters gather outside reception centre

Some shots from Lion Rock.




Photos: Aegis
 


High points

Two men were reportedly taken away by police during a confrontation in Hung Hom.


Hung Hom confrontation

Around 150 people formed a human chain at Admiralty.

 


 Admiralty chain

Riot police have stopped and searched a motorcycle near the Harbourview Horizon serviced apartment complex in Hung Hom. 
Objects from the motorcycle were taken out and searched. The two men on the vehicle were handcuffed and taken into a police van.
A source at the site said they were voluntary medics for protesters. Officers found helmets and other objects in their shared motorcycle.
A male resident complained to media that an officer shone a torch in his face when he tried to read his badge number. 
 
 


Two taken away after motorcycle stopped and searched

Residents have formed a human chain stretching between Tseung Kwan O and Hang Hau stations. Their self-made paper lanterns include protest messages such as “five demands, not one less” and “Hong Kong, add oil”.
In a creative form of protest, revellers lit up lanterns with electronic candlelights and mobile phone flashlights and held laser beam shows on the streets, another regular protest feature. 
 

Photo: Desmond Lau Kin-hei


Getting creative

Hundreds continue to sing protest songs in Victoria Park, and chant reminders of a protest on Sunday, which has been banned by police over safety concerns.
“September 15, see you in Victoria Park!” they shout.


Victoria Park singalong continues   

The slogans at Sham Shui Po's Tung Chau Street Park have come to an end.
Most people have left, following a loud round of chanting of "Sham Shui Po people, add oil!"
Meanwhile, protesters at Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre (below) have also headed away. They shouted "Happy Mid-Autumn Festival" before leaving.
People also chanted "9.15, see you at Victoria Park" as they left, a reference to a rally planned for Sunday but which has been banned by police.



Sham Shui Po crowd calls it a night

Over in Hung Hom, riot police have given chase to people gathering near the Harbourview Horizon after a man hurled abused at officers.
A woman was stopped and arrested. The incident, however, was one of the few flareups as Hongkongers enjoyed a peaceful Mid-Autumn Festival amid creative protests across the city.  
As Hong Kong braces for its 15th weekend of protests, our coverage is ending for the night. You can read our full wrap of today’s events here.

Photo: Telegram


As it happened: Hong Kong protesters mark Mid-Autumn Festival with human chains and public gatherings

Demonstrators also plan to sing Glory to Hong Kong in various shopping malls across the city The MTR Corporation will not provide overnight services for the festival for the first time ever, citing safety concerns

Demonstrators also plan to sing Glory to Hong Kong in various shopping malls across the city

The MTR Corporation will not provide overnight services for the festival for the first time ever, citing safety concerns