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The unlawful assembly being held outside the Central Government Offices on Tim Mei Avenue in Central is affecting public safety, public order and traffic nearby. It also affects the rights and freedom of other members of the public.
Police have so far arrested 78 persons, including 63 men and 15 women, aged between 16 and 58, for forcible entry into government premises, unlawful assembly, disorderly conduct in public place, assaulting public officers and obstructing police officers in due execution of duties.
In order to restore public order as soon as possible and to ensure public safety, Police have imposed lockdown in the vicinity of the Central Government Offices, including the junction between Tim Wa Avenue, Lung Wo Road and Harcourt Road; the junction between Tim Mei Avenue and Harcourt Road; the junction between Legislative Council Road and Lung Wo Road; and the junction between Lung Wui Road, Lung Wo Road and Performing Arts Avenue. Members of the public are not allowed to enter into the above area. Anyone trying to force into the area may be arrested and prosecuted.
Police call on people at the unlawful assembly to leave the area peacefully and orderly as soon as possible. Otherwise Police will take arrest and removal action to restore public order. Police officers will exercise restraint and carry out the operation in a professional manner. People at the venue should cooperate with the Police and act according to the instructions of Police officers at scene.
Police reiterate that the assembly outside the Central Government Offices on Tim Mei Avenue is unlawful. They appeal to the members of the public that, for their own safety, they should not join the unlawful assembly or go near the vicinity.
As the unlawful assembly led to implementation of crowd management and traffic control measures which might cause inconvenience, Police thanked the majority of the public for their understanding.
Ends/Sunday, September 28, 2014
Issued at HKT 22:32
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