Five people have been arrested in connection with anti-extradition protests yesterday. The protests ended when police in riot gear charged a group of demonstrators causing them to disperse.
The city has been plunged into its worst crisis in recent history following a month of huge marches as well as separate violent confrontations with police involving a minority of hardcore protesters.
The protests that were sparked by a now-suspended law that would have allowed extraditions to mainland China, have morphed into a wider movement calling for democratic reforms and a halt to sliding freedoms in the semi-autonomous territory.
Sunday's march went on peacefully with the organisers asking protestors to leave by evening. But tensions escalated as younger protesters stayed back to heckle at officials, at Mongkok.
In a statement issued early Monday morning, police said the group were taking part in an "unlawful assembly" and had been warned that officers would take action.
Activists said that violence was started by a shield wall of riot officers that had blocked the crowd's path.
"HKers joined rally peacefully... against extradition bill result in being beaten and assaulted by HK Police," democracy activist Joshua Wong wrote in a tweet accompanying pictures of at least two protesters with bleeding head wounds.
Public anger has soared against the city's pro-Beijing leaders and its police force after officers used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse protesters outside parliament last month.
The aim of yesterday’s protest was for demonstrators to spread their message to mainland tourists and shoppers. Information about the situation in Hong Kong is severely curtailed owing to censorship.
Protesters have been demanding complete withdrawal of the bill and resignation of Carrie Lam, the city's chief executive among other things.
The police have not released a breakdown of how many people have been detained in the last month of protests. However, according to sources, at least 72 people have been arrested so far. But, it is not clear how many have been charged.
