Ignoring social distancing, protesters mock Hong Kong leader Lam on her birthday

HONG KONG: Hundreds of protesters gathered in shopping malls across Hong Kong on Wednesday (May 13), flouting coronavirus-related social distancing rules to mock Chief Executive Carrie Lam on her birthday.

Police, both in riot gear and plainclothes, entered some of the malls and at least one arrest was made after officers pushed back a crowd using pepper spray. Most shops had to close.

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It was the latest sign social unrest was resurfacing in Hong Kong as the city has proven relatively successful at tackling the coronavirus, having recorded 1,051 cases and four deaths.

While the government has allowed bars, gyms and cinemas to reopen and civil servants to come back to work, it maintains that group gatherings should be limited to eight people.

Lam, who turns 63, is the city's least popular leader since its handover from Britain in 1997, having tried to push a Bill that would have allowed extraditions to mainland China last year, sparking large-scale, often violent protests.

"I wish Carrie Lam can live a long life so that she can bear the responsibility of the decisions she made," 20-year-old protester Ken said. "We will continue to resist. If we dont try to fight, they will just try to suppress us more severely."

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READ: Hong Kong police chief admits 'undesirable' behaviour towards media at protest

In the New Town Plaza mall in the working class Sha Tin district, protesters hung up banners reading "Liberate Hong Kong, Revolution of our Times," and chanted "There are no rioters, only tyranny" and "Disband Hong Kong police."

Last week, Lam said on Facebook that a purse sent by post as a gift from her family for Mother's Day had security staff on their toes after repeated bomb threats in recent months.

In Sha Tin, protesters taped posters with her face on glass windows, one reading "Because of you, many didn't have a happy Mother's Day."

Social distancing rules imposed to help contain coronavirus contagion has largely put a brake on protests since January.

But, after clashes with the police at the weekend in which 230 were arrested, demonstrations are expected to pick up steam again into the summer, especially amid fears the coronavirus is distracting the international community, potentially offering a window of opportunity for a stronger security crackdown.

Although the extradition Bill has been scrapped, protesters continue to demand Read More – Source