Hong Kong: Hundreds of protesters gather at Sha Tin mall July 16 /update 21

Event

Hundreds of protesters have reportedly gathered at the New Town Plaza mall in Sha Tin as of Tuesday evening (local time), July 16. Demonstrators are denouncing alleged police brutality and to demand answers from mall management as to why security forces were allowed into the mall during the July 14 protests. At least 22 people were hospitalized and 40 arrested on July 14, the largest number of people arrested since mass mobilizations began in early June.

Anti-extradition bill protesters are also planning two demonstrations on Wednesday, July 17, in Central. Protesters are planning to disrupt the annual Hong Kong Book Fair held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center. It is unclear how police and event security may respond to the planned demonstrations, which will likely involve blocking booths and building Lennon Walls, displays of slogans and messages written on post-it notes. The fair is expected to run from Wednesday until Tuesday, July 23.

Additionally, a silent march by a group of elderly protesters is scheduled on Wednesday at 17:00 (local time) from Chater Garden to Tamar Park. Heightened security and localized disruptions are possible at both events.

Further protests are planned in the coming days and weeks across Hong Kong, notably a mass rally in Admiralty on Sunday, July 21, organized by Civil Human Rights Front (CHRF). Other demonstrations will be held in To Kaw Wan and Tseung Kwan O on Sunday, July 28.

Context

A Beijing-owned company controls approximately 90 percent of Hong Kong's publishing industry and is criticized for censorship.

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 developments to 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 near any protest events.