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Hong Kong Police Disperse Protesters Opposing National Security, Anthem Laws

Verna Yu

   HONG KONG - Riot police in Hong Kong Wednesday fired pepper balls to
   disperse tens of thousands of demonstrators protesting adoption of a
   controversial national security law that is poised to pass in Beijing
   on Thursday and a proposed law criminalizing the disrespect of the
   national anthem tabled in the city's legislature.
   Thousands of riot police officers guarded several districts in Hong
   Kong, firing pepper balls and using pepper spray to disperse
   protesters. Police stopped and searched mostly young people outside
   subway stations and on the streets throughout the day.
   Crowds of people who gathered in Admiralty, the area where the
   legislative council and government quarters are located, were dispersed
   by police who threatened them with pepper spray if they did not comply.
   There were police officers guarding every street corner in the area to
   prevent people from getting near the government buildings. Walkways
   leading to the government buildings were cordoned off. Police quickly
   closed in on small groups of activists who gathered to chant slogans
   and give speeches expressing their opposition to the national anthem
   bill. At one point, police ordered people in nearby restaurants to
   leave.
   WATCH: Street view of Hong Kong protesters

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