Hong Kong protests: dozens flout Covid-19 social-distancing rules as they gather to mark anniversary of Yuen Long attack

Officers arrest four for unlawful assembly, fine several for breaking social-distancing regulations, while pepper spray is also used for crowd dispersal

Police raise purple flag to warn of possible breach of national security law as protesters chant popular slogan ‘Liberate Hong Kong; revolution of our times’

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Lawmaker Eddie Chu at the protest in Yuen Long on Sunday. Photo: Dickson Lee

Published: 6:11pm, 19 Jul 2020Updated: 4:20pm, 11 Sep 2020

Dozens of anti-government protesters flouted social-distancing rules amid the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in Hong Kong on Sunday, as they gathered to mark the first anniversary of an attack at Yuen Long railway station last July 21 during the city’s social unrest.

But the protesters were outnumbered by about 100 riot police officers, who arrested four people for unlawful assembly and fined several for breaking social-distancing regulations.

Police also used pepper spray to disperse the protesters, who heckled the officers during identity card checks. Some reporters at the scene were also hit by pepper spray.

Tsuen Wan district councillor Lester Shum (centre) at the protest in Yuen Long on Sunday. Photo: Dickson Lee

The protesters planned to march at 3pm from Yuen Long MTR station to Shui Pin Tsuen Playground, opposite Yuen Long Police Station.

Among those who showed up were Council Front lawmaker Eddie Chu Hoi-dick and several community representatives, including Tsuen Wan district councillor Lester Shum, Yuen Long district councillors Lam Chun, Ng Kin-wai, Hau Man-kin, Kwan Chun-sang and Chan Shu-fai, as well as Mak Ip-sing, vice-chairman of Yuen Long District Council.