#FirstHand #Mar31
Police Weaponize Anti-epidemic Measures and Threaten Passersby with Arrests

2315 | Prince Edward

Behind the cordon line at the Lady's Market, police pressed a woman on the ground and tied up her hands.

A loud bang was heard, followed by smoke as the arrest occurred.

Police went on threatening to arrest the passersby standing outside nearby shops, by citing the group gathering ban. The police raised the blue warning flag at the far end of the street, but the crowd could not see it from afar since the streets are dimly lit.

#831PrinceEdward

#FirstHand #Mar31

Police Cite Gathering Ban to Disperse Pro-democracy Protesters

2320 | Prince Edward
A massive number of police gathered on Prince Edward Road West and used loudspeakers to order bystanders to disperse, citing the recent law banning gatherings of more than 4 people.

The police threaten to use force to clear away bystanders if they would not leave by themselves.

#FirstHand #Mar31
Elderly woman: “I am alone, by myself”

2336 | Prince Edward
At Exit C1 of Prince Edward metro station, an elderly woman, holding a small flag showing HK Independence, hollered at the police, “I am alone, by myself.”

Police have been using anti-epidemic measures to disperse and fine citizens who went to the station to commemorate the police attack victims on August 31, 2019. While deaths by police beating have been suspected, the actual casaulty on that day remains unknown.

#831PrinceEdward #NeverForget #PoliceState #PoliceBrutality

Civilians Put Flowers Back in Place to Commemorate the Victims of Police Brutality at Prince Edward Station
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/19144

Man in Wheelchair Gives Flowers in Rain and Despite Coronavirus Outbreak
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/19131

District Councilor: Police are Abusing Anti-Crowding Laws to Arrest Citizens and Impose Political Pressure

2314 Prince Edward
District Councilor Chan Po-ming states that he went to the vigil alone and did not know nearby citizens. However, while being searched by the police, he was asked if he was gathering with four other nearby citizens. He noted that these types of events kept happening, and it is unacceptable that the anti-epidemic policy is being used as a political pressure tool.

Source: Apple Daily #Mar31
#DistrictCouncil #831PrinceEdward #AntiEpidemic

#FirstHand #Mar31
Police Return to Continue Harassment in Mong Kok for No Reason

2338 MongKok

Riot police arrived at Sai Yeung Choi South Street and set up a cordon line in the middle of the street for no apparent reason. A while ago, police arrested 3 civilians, of which one was a young woman.

#831PrinceEdward #NeverForget #PoliceState #PoliceBrutality

#FirstHand #Mar31
Police Yell and Harass as They Arrest Young People Outside Public Restroom

0011 Mong Kok

Outside Sai Yeung Choi street public restroom, a group of young people are being arrested. They have to kneel and put their hands on their heads. Special Tactical Forces continue their presence and keep pushing reporters out. It is unclear what is happening inside the bathroom.

#831PrinceEdward #NeverForget #PoliceState #PoliceBrutality

#FirstHand #Mar31
More Police Arrived for Enforcement; Officers Stromed into Toilet for Frisking

0017 | #MongKok
A team of 7 to 8 riot police arrived at Sai Yeung South Street for enforcement, while another group of riot police continued the stop and search. Some officers went into the public toilet to conduct further investigation.

#831PrinceEdward #NeverForget #PoliceState #PoliceBrutality

#FirstHand #Apr1
Police Barks at Reporters to Back Off from Reporting

0023 | Mong Kok

When the Special Tactical Squad rushed to the front, a few reporters followed to report. However, some officers immediately and viciously yelled at them to go back to the sidewalk. One reporter spoke English but was dismissed.

#831PrinceEdward

#FirstHand #Apr1
March 31, 2020: A Night of Horror

0027 | Prince Edward
A night of horror continued, as the police abused the group gathering ban, which resteicted gatherings of more than 4 people, and stop-and-search innocent passersby. 7 people, including 1 female, was stopped-and-searched outside Fa Yuen Street Park, Prince Edward. They were released eventually.

#PoliceState #831PrinceEdward

#FirstHand #Apr1
Police Continue Patrol for "Illegal Assemblies"

0045 Mong Kok

Over 50 armed police officers patrolled areas around Soy Street. Some entered a public toilet, trying to find any "illegal assembly" inside.

#PoliceState #831PrinceEdward

#FirstHand #Apr1
Police Collect Arrestees in Vehicles and Head Out

0050 | Soy Street

5 police vehicles, including sprinter vans and personnel carriers, arrived at Soy Street Park to pick up arrestees, who were squatting outside a public toilet out of police orders. After a few riot police boarded, the vehicles then left heading towards Yau Ma Tei.

According to Apple Daily, more than 100 civilians have been taken away by the police in the evening of 31 March.

#831PrinceEdward #PoliceState #PublicToilet

#FirstHand #Apr1

Reporter: Using the Mourning of 831, Police Conducts a Massive Arrest Operation Against Hong Kong Civilians

0100 | Mong Kok

Our reporter concludes tonight's events as such: The situation tonight was basically a massive arrest operation. The police would pursue various sessions of arrests and surround people, usually 30-40, in very small, cramped areas to capture them. Civilians, reporters, and first aiders were split up. Searches were started arbitrarily, to their whims. Those not “suspicious” would be let go. Chaotic, the police also suddenly entered toilets and forced people to kneel down for no apparent reason.

#831PrinceEdward #PoliceState

Police Scrutinize Every Reporter and Film their Belongings
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/19142

#DailyUpdate #Mar31 #COVID19

COVID-19 Updates (31/3)

At the time of writing, 803,547 cases of the coronavirus had been confirmed in 201 countries and territories with 39,045 deaths. Spain now has more confirmed cases then China with the US and Italy being above Spain.

Iran reports 3,000 new cases of coronavirus in one day.

Spain registered a record number of coronavirus-related fatalities over the past 24 hours, with 849 deaths taking the country's total to 8,189, according to data released on Tuesday.

UNICEF is donating a range of medical and protective gear to help Spain’s health system fight Covid-19, according to a tweet from UNICEF Spain.

Paris Orly airport will stop commercial flights today.

US state Maryland governor says people who violate stay-at-home order could face jail time.

Stadium in northern India converted into "temporary jail" for lockdown violators.

Indonesia declares public health emergency over coronavirus pandemic.

Indonesia is banning most foreign nationals from entering and transiting through the country.

Airline passengers around the world are due $35 billion in ticket refunds this quarter, according the International Air Transport Association, which represents airlines globally.

France gives 4 billion Euros to public health agencies for masks and ventilators.

Panama's President Nito Cortizo has announced that men and women will only be able to leave their homes on separate days as part of the country's measures to fight coronavirus.

Nuns self-isolate in Italian care home to look after elderly residents.

The Central African Republic has just three ventilators to deal with COVID-19.

South Korea to begin new school year with online classes on April 9.

Taiwan calls on the WHO to include it in expert meetings.

The Indian state of Uttar Pradesh has sparked controversy after migrant workers, returning home during a nationwide coronavirus lockdown, were doused in bleach disinfectant used to sanitize buses.

Gin distilleries and breweries offer to make hand sanitizer for London police.

Team of Chinese disease control specialists arrives in Venezuela.

Turkey's President has donated seven months' salary to help fight coronavirus.

The US federal government sent the wrong masks, says Illinois governor.

Source: CNN, Worldometer

#ExclusiveInterview #FirstHand #831PrinceEdward #Mar31
Interview with District Councillors Tsang Tsz-ming Lee Kwok-kuen: The Dire State of the Police State in Hong Kong

"...during our meeting of the council’s Traffic and Transport Committee, we made it clear that the police should not clear the flowers when the MTR did not file any complaints, which we have reached a consensus on this issue."

Read more:
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/19169

#TsangTszMing #LeeKwokKuen
#DistrictCouncil #YauTsimMong

#ExclusiveInterview #FirstHand #831PrinceEdward #Mar31
Interview with Yau Tsim Mong District Councillors Tsang Tsz-ming Lee Kwok-kuen:
The Dire State of the Police State in Hong Kong

March 31 2020 marked seven months since the 8.31 police attack. Every month on the 31st, citizens joined outside Prince Edward Station Exit C1 to remember the victims of that horrifying night. This night was filled with a different kind of tension, however, as police set up a cordon there very early at 5 pm, manning the exit themselves.

Our reporter interviewed Yau Tsim Mong District Councillors, Mr. Tsang Tsz-Ming and Mr. Lee Kwok-Keun, who have been standing in front of the police to manage the offerings from citizens, on their views on the police actions on March 31.

Q: Why did you have to hold flowers instead of letting citizens place them in front of Exit C1 (where the public altar for 831 police attack was located)?

A: As you can see, the police surrounded the exit behind us. Citizens could not get close to the exit. That’s why we are keeping the flowers for them.

Q: How long have you been standing here?
A: We arrived here around 5 pm.
[The interview took place at around 8pm]

Q: Is it true that the police cleared the tribute flowers for the first time today around 4 pm?

A: I think it was earlier at around 2 or 3 pm. We, the Yau Tsim Mong District Councillors, arrived at 5 pm, and we came with clear objectives. First, during our meeting of the council’s Traffic and Transport Committee, we made it clear that the police should not clear the flowers when the MTR did not file any complaints, which we have reached a consensus on this issue.

But today the police changed their attitude and surrounded the area. Since the 8.31 incident, many citizens have longed for the truth and tried to present offerings for the casualty that night.

When we arrived here, there has already been a police cordon. There was not much we could do so we decided to hold the flowers ourselves. If they think pinning the flowers on the
fences is disturbing, we shall be the vases because we believe many still want to show their lamentations for the 831 incident.

Q: Do you think police setting up a cordon is a bewailing and provoking act to citizens?

A: We agree that this is a provoking action. Two weeks ago on a meeting of the Traffic and Transport Committee of our District Council, we have passed the motion that without a request from the MTR, police cannot restrain citizens from pinning flowers in MTR areas, which include the fences behind me as we confirmed previously.

But the police play petty tricks by surrounding the fence so that citizens cannot get closer. This displayed how neglectful the police are to the demands of the District Council. This an appalling provocation to Hong Kong citizens.

Q: A lot of citizens volunteered to hold flowers beside you. What do you think of the police’s reaction and manners when they saw this?

A: Up till now the police have taken no action on us. So we are still here, without being searched nor dispersed. We are cooperative too, as we produced our identification documents, and did not chant any slogan or try to provoke the police. We are only upholding our responsibilities in the council and doing what we should do.

Image: https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/19168

#DistrictCouncil #YauTsimMong
#TsangTszMing #LeeKwokKuen