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Police strongly condemn violent and vandalistic acts
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     Violent protests and vandalistic acts occurred in multiple districts in Kowloon yesterday (October 27). Police express strong condemnation against rioters.

     Some people earlier called on protestors on the Internet to participate in unlawful assembly in Tsim Sha Tsui yesterday. Without complying with the law by notifying the Police, a large number of protestors gathered illegally in various districts in Kowloon, including Tsim Sha Tsui, Yau Ma Tei, Mong Kok and Sham Shui Po starting from around 3pm yesterday. They vandalised facilities and even attacked police officers.

     A large number of masked rioters blocked main roads in Kowloon extensively by setting up barricades with miscellaneous objects, sawn off a lamp post and set fires, which paralysed traffic. They vandalised facilities in an organised manner, hurled petrol bombs at Police stations, broke into shops to wreak damage and set fires, vandalised banks and hurled smoke grenades at MTR exits. Some rioters even hurled petrol bombs at police officers and attacked them with hard object and umbrellas. Masked rioters’ blatant defiance of the law cannot be condoned.

     Police officers have repeatedly warned the protestors that they are participating in an unlawful assembly. Since the situation deteriorated rapidly, Police conducted dispersal operation with minimum necessary force to stop the violent acts of the rioters.

     Some rioters took the law into their own hands by beating up bystanders, overstepping the bottom line of any civilized society. At around 7pm, some rioters assaulted a man in Yau Ma Tei, who then fell onto the ground with his head bleeding. At around 9pm, masked rioters intercepted a male in Mong Kok to inspect his mobile phone and beat him up.

     Police reiterate that no violent behavior will be tolerated. Police will take resolute enforcement action public order and bring all lawbreakers to justice.
 
Ends/Monday, October 28, 2019
Issued at HKT 1:32
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