Tear gas fired at new security law protests

HONG Kong police fired volleys of tear gas and a water cannon in a popular shopping district as thousands took to the streets yesterday to march against China’s proposed tough national security legislation for the city.

Pro-democracy supporters in Hong Kong have sharply criticised China’s proposal to enact a national security law that would ban secessionist and subversive activity, as well as foreign interference, in the semiautonomous territory.

Critics say it goes against the “one country, two systems” framework that promises the city freedoms not found in mainland China.

Yesterday afternoon, crowds of protesters dressed in black gathered in Causeway Bay, a popular shopping district, to protest against the proposed legislation.

Protesters chanted slogans “Stand with Hong Kong”, “Liberate Hong Kong” and “Revolution of our times”.

The protest was a continuation of a months-long pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong that began last year and has at times descended into violence between police and protesters.

Police raised blue flags, warning protesters to disperse, before firing multiple rounds of tear gas. They later fired a water cannon at the protesters.

At least 120 people were arrested, mostly on charges of unlawful assembly, police said in a Facebook post.

They also said that protesters threw bricks and splashed unidentified liquid at officers, injuring at least four members of the police’s media liaison team.

They warned that such behaviour is against the law and that police would pursue the matter.