- Title: Hong Kong police defend use of force against protesters at Uighur support rally
- Date: 23rd December 2019
- Summary: HONG KONG, CHINA (DECEMBER 23, 2019) (REUTERS) POLICE OFFICIALS SITTING DOWN FOR NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (English) HONG KONG POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS CHIEF, KWOK KA-CHUEN, SAYING: "In Edinburgh Place in Central yesterday, some radical protester a national flag from a pole, threw it onto the ground and thrashed it. Our officers were duty bound to enter the park to remove the damaged flag. However, as our officers were leaving, an outnumbering mob launched an attack and threw various hard objects at them. They even attempted to help an arrested person to escape. Some rioters even pushed our officer onto the ground and snatched his belt. This was a really dangerous and chaotic situation. At this juncture, our officers pull out his service revolver to protect his own safety and the safety of his colleagues. Once the situation came under control, he put back his revolver." VARIOUS OF MONITORS SHOWING VIDEO OF CLASHES WITH PROTESTERS AND POLICE (SOUNDBITE) (English) HONG KONG POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS CHIEF, KWOK KA-CHUEN, SAYING: "When rioters commit radical and violent acts, many fellows come to their aid afterward. We strongly condemn such irresponsible and reckless act." NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (English) HONG KONG POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS CHIEF, KWOK KA-CHUEN, SAYING: "With Christmas around the corner, everyone wish for a joyful holiday and to spend quality time with their loved ones. However, we are aware some dangerous online comment inciting others to commit destructive acts like setting fire to Christmas tree in shopping malls. Not only does this pose a serious threat to public safety, this also wrecks the joyful season that we all have the right to enjoy." NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (English) HONG KONG POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS CHIEF, KWOK KA-CHUEN, SAYING: "Over the weekend, the police arrested 52 people, consisting of 46 males and 6 female aged between 15 and 53. Offences include unlawful assembly, possession of offensive weapons and loitering." POLICE OFFICIALS LEAVING
- Embargoed: 6th January 2020 11:33
- Keywords: China Hong Kong arrests clashes news conference police protests public relations weekend
- Location: HONG KONG, CHINA
- City: HONG KONG, CHINA
- Country: China
- Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,Civil Unrest
- Reuters ID: LVA001BB72ZPJ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Hong Kong police on Monday (December 23) defended their use of force against protesters at a Uighur support rally over the weekend.
Police public relations chief Kwok Ka-chuen said officers attempted to arrest a protester who had dismantled a Chinese national flag from a pole near a public plaza where around 1,000 people peacefully gathered in support of Uighurs, a Muslim minority mostly residing in China's northwest Xinjiang region.
Clashes ensued after protesters scuffled with police and threw water bottles during the arrest, said Kwok.
The protests in Hong Kong, which were initially aimed at a now withdrawn extradition bill, are now in their seventh month, albeit in a relative lull compared with the scale and intensity of earlier confrontations. Police have arrested more than 6,000 people since the protests intensified in June, including more than 52 this weekend.
Police also said they expect demonstrations on Christmas Eve (December 24).
(Production: Ronn Bautista) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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