Since today (May 24) noon, a large group of rioters have wreaked havoc in Causeway Bay and Wan Chai under the pretext of protest.

     Not only did the rioters build barricades on busy roads packed with vehicles, but they also set fire to rubbish and inflicted extensive damage to public amenities like traffic lights. Roadside railings were dismantled while a large amount of drainage covers and bricks were removed. Some shops were vandalised by rioters, suffering financial losses. Some people who held dissenting views and Police officers have been attacked with bricks and umbrellas by rioters. Some injured victims have been hospitalised for treatment. Some rioters even allegedly threw glass bottles from the rooftop of a building on the ground, posing a serious threat to public safety. In the evening, the protestors gathering inside a shopping mall on Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui behaved in a disorderly manner, causing disruption to the public peace.

     Police have taken resolute action to enforce the law. Up to 9.30pm, at least 180 persons had been arrested mainly for offences like participating in an unauthorised assembly, unlawful assembly and disorderly conduct in a public place.

     Police strongly condemn the rioters for injuring others and causing violent disruption. Not only are these atrocious acts in breach of the law, but they are also not to be condoned by any civilised society. Police will spare no effort in the investigation and offenders must bear the legal consequences. Police call for concerted efforts to renounce violence and restore peaceful and rational means of expression, a core value that Hong Kong people always take pride in.
     

Ends/Sunday, May 24, 2020
Issued at HKT 23:24

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