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Lunchtime protests held in several districts in Hong Kong to show support for Spark Alliance
- Police said earlier they had frozen HK$70 million raised by the crowdfunding platform and arrested four people
- Protesters view latest police actions as suppression of the anti-government movement
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More than 100 protesters gathered at lunchtime in several districts on Friday to show support for a crowdfunding platform for the ongoing protests after police froze HK$70 million (US$9 million) it had raised and arrested four people for money laundering.
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Protesters who gathered at Statue Square in Central criticised the police’s actions as suppression of the anti-government movement, which was sparked by the now-withdrawn extradition bill in early June.
Police revealed on Thursday that the force had frozen about HK$70 million raised by activists via Spark Alliance HK to support the city’s anti-government protesters and also arrested four people aged between 17 and 50 for money laundering.
Officers suspected the funds were used for personal gain and other illegal activities, including participation rewards for young demonstrators, an allegation a source connected to the fundraising platform denied.
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Apart from slogans to reiterate the demands like setting up an independent inquiry on police use of force during the protests, the demonstrators also chanted: “Support Spark Alliance, protect comrades”.
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