- Title: Hong Kong might ban face masks in bid to curb violence
- Date: 3rd October 2019
- Summary: HONG KONG, CHINA (OCTOBER 3, 2019) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS WEARING FACE MASKS RALLYING AT SHA TIN COURT TO PROTEST AGAINST RIOTING CHARGES BROUGHT AGAINST TEENAGER SHOT IN CHEST BY POLICE VARIOUS OF PEOPLE SEATED (SOUNDBITE) (Cantonese) PROTESTER WHO IDENTIFIED HIMSELF AS MARTIN S., 20, SAYING: "If this regime really wants to suppress the voices of the people like this, it will only make the division of the society and the so-called social rift more serious. I believe that our people will not be afraid, will continue to come out, and even use a more excessive method to fight." MASKED PROTESTERS MAKING PAPER CRANES VARIOUS OF PAPER CRANES (SOUNDBITE) (Cantonese) PROTESTER, MARCO CHOW, 21, SAYING: "I still don't dare to say which direction the whole movement will go. In fact, now even if ordinary people go onto the streets, they might be arrested and be charged for illegal assembly. I feel the new law is just to give one more way for the police to control us. I think (the law) is not necessary. PEOPLE GATHERED CHINESE AND HONG KONG FLAGS EXTERIOR OF PHARMACY BOX OF FACE MASKS FACE MASK SHELF CARRYING FACE MASKS (SOUNDBITE) (Cantonese) ENGINEER, WILSON CHIU, 37, SAYING: "In terms of this mask ban, I would only support it if a public opinion poll showed that the government was trying their best to respond to demands from the people, and that the situation was out of control, that's when I would think the time has come to pass the law. If they pass the legislation now, it is like the mistakes made by Carrie Lam before, who has tried to do something without getting the authorization of the people and the support from the people. She is trying this one more time, just like what she did during the extradition bill issue earlier." VARIOUS OF ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTESTERS WEARING MASKS WALKING PAST RALLY AT CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG IN PROGRESS PROTESTERS WEARING FACE MASKS WALKING VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS WEARING FACE MASKS SEATED ON GROUND
- Embargoed: 17th October 2019 12:22
- Keywords: Hong Kong face masks ban propose
- Location: HONG KONG, CHINA
- City: HONG KONG, CHINA
- Country: Hong Kong
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA001AZJJUIV
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Hong Kong is set to enact an emergency law to ban face masks at rallies, media reported on Thursday (October 3), as authorities grapple with nearly four months of anti-government protests.
Many demonstrators wear face masks to hide their identities and shield themselves from tear gas. Some predicted the law would anger protesters even more, while others worried about being arrested.
The unrest, which began over opposition to a now-withdrawn extradition bill that would have allowed people to be sent to mainland China for trial, shows no sign of letting up. Demonstrators, angry over the shooting of an 18-year-old this week by police, clashed with police into the early hours of Thursday. Demonstrators threw petrol bombs and police responded with tear gas.
Police have also urged the government to impose curfews to help curb the escalating violence in the Chinese-ruled city, where officers have become a target of protesters amid accusations of excessive force.
(Production: Yuddy Cahya, Joyce Zhou, Yiming Woo) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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