01 Jul 2019 | 02:08 AM UTC
Hong Kong: Minor clashes reported on Harcourt Road July 1 /update 7
Police officers reportedly use batons to prevent protesters from marching up Harcourt Road on July 1; heightened security presence and roadblocks in Admiralty
Event
Activists are reporting that several protesters were hit by police officers using batons to prevent crowds from marching up Harcourt Road in Admiralty towards the Hong Kong Convention Centre around 08:30 (local time) on Monday, July 1. As of 09:45, hundreds of protesters are gathering in various parts of Admiralty and are in a stand-off with police officers. Groups of demonstrators have been reported on Lung Wu Road, Harcourt Road, Fleming Road, and the Harcourt overpass. Some roads have been blocked and protesters have erected barricades in the area. Tensions are high around the protest sites and may escalate with little warning in the coming hours. Clashes between security forces and demonstrators cannot be ruled out.
Significant business and transportation disruptions are anticipated in the financial area of the city on Monday, which is a public holiday. The Civil Human Rights Front (CHRF) is planning an annual protest march later in the day, with demonstrators expected to gather at Victoria Park in Causeway Bay at 14:30 before marching to the LegCo complex in Admiralty. Further road closures, as well as disruptions to MRT service and other modes of public transportation, are possible in the coming hours. Increased traffic on cross-harbor tunnels is also anticipated.
Context
Protests and mass demonstrations of up to 2 million people have been held since June 9 in opposition to a controversial bill that would allow Hong Kong to extradite fugitives wanted in mainland China, along with Macau and Taiwan. Opponents claim the law would erode freedoms guaranteed by China in 1997 and may be used to silence dissent and criticism.
Advice
Individuals in Hong Kong are advised to monitor the situation, adhere to instructions issued by local authorities, refrain from discussing political topics in public or on social media, avoid all public demonstrations due to the risk of violence and arrest, and anticipate localized transportation and business disruptions and a heightened security presence.
