Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong and others from the League of Social Democrats have been taken away by police after a protest on Saturday.
They were attempting to protest at the 7am flag raising ceremony at the Golden Bauhinia Square. But they soon became involved in a scuffle with pro-Beijing counter protesters at their starting point near the Wan Chai MTR.
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Demosisto said its activists were “attacked” by the pro-Beijing group. Around 100 pro-Beijing counter protesters were on scene.
Wong, Derek Lam of Wong’s party Demosisto, LSD chairman Avery Ng, “Long Hair” Leung Kwok-hung and Raphael Wong, were among 20 activists taken away by police. Wong was handcuffed by police.
Police on scene said at least three pro-Beijing protesters were also taken away.
Raphael Wong said in his party’s media message group that police told him they were not arrested, but will be taken to the police headquarters in Wan Chai. He later said they were released at a McDonald’s in Admiralty.
Earlier, LSD said their signature protest prop, a paper coffin, was damaged by over 10 unknown people as the group left its storage unit in Lai Chi Kok. InMedia said “over 10 men suddenly rushed out and damaged the prop.”
Police behaviour this morning condemned by @joshuawongcf. “They just allow the pro-China gangs to attack us.” #HKSAR20 pic.twitter.com/t0Kfoi1ngL
— Aaron Mc Nicholas (@aaronMCN) July 1, 2017
LSD also claimed its member Figo Chan was attacked when he was on a police van.
LSD activist Avery Ng said he was assaulted by police while he was handcuffed in the police car. He said police swore at him and kicked him twice in the crotch. He explained the incident through a Facebook live post.
