Hong Kong police on Tuesday used pepper gas to disperse demonstrators who took to the streets on the first anniversary of large-scale protests triggered by the extradition bill, the South China Morning Post reported.
Several hundred demonstrators gathered in central Hong Kong on Tuesday night to mark the first anniversary of the beginning of the mass protests, which lasted more than six months. According to various reports, more than 1 million people took to the streets of Hong Kong on June 9, 2019, which was a record since 1997, when Hong Kong returned to the jurisdiction of China.
According to the newspaper, some demonstrators carry phones with flashlights on above their heads, while others carry open umbrellas to hide their identity.
The streets in the Causeway Bay and Wanchay districts are reported to have an increased presence of police, including riot police officers.
Due to the ongoing coronavirus epidemic in Hong Kong, some restrictions are still in place, including a ban on crowds of more than 8 people. Hong Kong police earlier reported that there were calls to take to the streets on Tuesday night, and law enforcement agencies issued a warning that anyone who marched would be found guilty of participating in illegal gatherings.
Mass protests provoked by the consideration of the draft law on extradition have been held in Hong Kong since early June 2019. After large-scale protests, Hong Kong authorities made concessions, and in early October the bill was completely withdrawn. Nevertheless, the protests did not stop, they became small, but more violent. In six months more than 900 demonstrations, marches and protests took place in Hong Kong. At that time, the U.S. authorities were constantly criticizing the Hong Kong government and police for any actions against protesters and rioters.