15 Jul 2019 | 06:02 AM UTC
Hong Kong: Dozens arrested and wounded in Sha Tin protests July 14 /update 19
Hong Kong police arrest 40 people following mass protests in Sha Tin (New Territories) on July 14 that left 22 others hospitalized; further protests planned from July 17-28
Event
Mass protests in the Sha Tin area of the New Territories ended up violent clashes on Sunday, July 14, resulting in at least 22 people hospitalized and 40 arrested, the largest number of people arrested since mass mobilizations began in early June. According to the Hospital Authority, two people are in critical condition and four others are in serious condition following the protests. Ten police officers were also injured.
An estimated 115,000 people attended the demonstration on Sunday, which officially ended at 17:00 (evening). Riot police cleared streets in the evening and entered New Town Plaza shopping mall near the Sha Tin MTR station, leading to violent confrontations between protesters and police.
Further demonstrations and marches are planned in the coming days and weeks. On Wednesday, July 17, a civil society group for the elderly is hosting an event in Chater Garden (Central) at 17:00. On Saturday, July 20, protesters will march in Mong Kok (Kowloon) at 14:30 and on Sunday, July 21, the Civil Human Rights Front (CHRF) will organize a rally in Admiralty at 19:30. Protests in To Kaw Wan and Tseung Kwan O (Kowloon) are also expected on Sunday, July 28. A heightened security presence and associated disruptions, including MTR congestion and transportation and business disruptions, are expected. Clashes between protesters and police, as well as arrests, cannot be ruled out.
Context
Protest activities have spread from Hong Kong Island in recent days with an estimated 250,000 participating in a protest march in Kowloon on Sunday, July 7, and 115,000 marching in Sha Tin (New Territories) on Sunday, July 14.
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 and other territories. Opponents claim the law would erode freedoms and 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.
