- Title: Hong Kong Police condemns violence in malls on Christmas.
- Date: 27th December 2019
- Summary: HONG KONG, CHINA (DECEMBER 27, 2019) (REUTERS) POLICE OFFICIALS SITTING DOWN FOR NEWS CONFERENCE JOURNALISTS SITTING (SOUNDBITE) (English) HONG KONG POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS CHIEF, KWOK KA-CHUEN, SAYING: "These rioters are standing against every law-abiding citizen in Hong Kong. They are a threat to our freedom, safety and livelihood. If we continue to let this black terror go on, the whole society will soon enter a recession. We once again sincerely appeal to every member of Hong Kong to say no to violence and stand with us to stamp out violence." NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS JOURNALISTS SITTING AND LISTENING (SOUNDBITE) (English) HONG KONG POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS CHIEF, KWOK KA-CHUEN, SAYING: "Between Monday and last mid-night, we arrested all together 336 people, consisting of 244 males and 92 females, aged between 12 and 54 years. Offenses include unlawful assembly, possession of offensive weapons and criminal damage." EMBLEM OF HONG KONG POLICE FORCE POLICE OFFICIALS LEAVING
- Embargoed: 10th January 2020 10:48
- Keywords: China Christmas Hong Kong clashes demonstrations mall police protesters violence
- Location: HONG KONG, CHINA
- City: HONG KONG, CHINA
- Country: Hong Kong
- Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,Civil Unrest
- Reuters ID: LVA001BBR1ZD3
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Hong Kong Police on Friday (December 27) condemned the violence that took place on Christmas holiday, defending their use of force against protesters who marched through shopping malls to disrupt business.
Police public relations chief Kwok Ka-chuen said 336 people were arrested from December 23 to early hours of December 27, including 244 males and 92 females aged between 12 to 54 years old.
Seventy-six tear gas canisters, 12 sponge grenades and 33 rubber bullets were fired on Christmas Eve and Christmas day to disperse crowds at Christmas-decorated shopping malls and nearby streets, according to police. Thirteen police officers were injured during this period, police added.
The "shopping protests" have targeted malls across the Chinese-ruled city since Christmas Eve, turning violent at times with police firing tear gas to disperse demonstrators in areas filled with shoppers and visitors.
The protests in Hong Kong, which were initially aimed at a now withdrawn extradition bill, are now in their seventh month, albeit in a relative lull compared with the scale and intensity of earlier confrontations.
(Production: Mehmet Emin Caliskan, Xihao Jiang) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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