Mask Off

In another attempt to increase the power of the Hong Kong Police Force, Carrie Lam and the Hong Kong government invoked the Emergency Regulations Ordinance granting her direct power to enact a new law banning any masks or facial coverings in public places. In addition, by invoking the ordinance, it also enables her to push through any new legislations, bypassing the Legislative Council. In other words, Hong Kong is essentially in a State of Emergency and the police have even bigger power to arrest its people.

In response, thousands of Hong Kongers marched in defiance to protect their human rights. The people are outraged by the government’s continuous ignorance of police’s brutality, while consistently granting them more power to suppress the people of the city.

Walk on through the wind, walk on through the rain from HongKong

Unauthorized march? Masks banned? Rain? Come on Carrie, you’re going to need to try harder than that. from HongKong

“Citizens are hiding their faces; Carrie Lam is hiding her conscience” – banner during march today from HongKong

In their typical fashion, the police uses the excuse of illegal assembly and now the new law prohibiting masks to strike fear with their brutality and ruthless actions.

Police brutality, exhibition number – ah ive lost count from HongKong

Hong Kong riot police punching and kicking protestor on the ground from HongKong

Even children were arrested for taking part in a protest

[10.6] This little girl got arrested. from HongKong

Little girl protester quaked with fear after she got arrested by the police from HongKong

[10.6] Another youngster got arrested, should be a junior student. from HongKong

Undercover police officers were also in full force amongst the protesting crowds. One of those officers was accused of bumping protesters with his car, as the situation escalated he drew out his firearm and ended up shooting a 14-year old boy in the leg. Protesters immediately seeked revenge on him.

14-year-old shot by plainclothes Hong Kong police officer as protesters attack vehicle

Police have also started forcibly remove protesters seeking medical attention from hospitals.

Riot police stormed a hospital to capture protestors, a scene not even seen in battlefield from HongKong

Even the press have been threatened since the mask ban despite assurances from the government that their work won’t be interrupted. Time and time again the press are intimidated or met with physical force in an attempt to deter them from filming the actions of the police.

Second day of the anti mask law in effect, the police removed a reporter’s mask by force, despite the Secretary of Security’s assurance to the press that reporters at work are exempt from the law. from HongKong

Besides the violence from the police, “blue-ribbon” supporters who are sponsored by the CCP have also been more prevalent with their vigilante “justice” physically harming protesters. Today also witnessed a taxi driver driving their car into the protesting crowds.

Pro Beijing taxi driver rams into Hong Kong Protesters from HongKong