HONG KONG: Demonstrators storm streets to protest Lam’s move to ban face masks during rallies

The streets of Hong Kong have been flooded with scores of protesters rallying against a move by the leader of the semi-autonomous city, Carrie Lam to ban the use of facial masks during demonstrations.

Reports say scores of protesters gathered at the city centre and several neighbourhoods to express their opposition over the proposed new ban on wearing masks during rallies.

Further findings revealed that Lam is set to bypass the city’s legislature in her bid to impose the use of colonial-era emergency laws to ban the use of face masks as violent protests continue.

READ ALSO: DR CONGO: 14 victims feared killed after collapse of illegal gold mine

“As a responsible government, we have a duty to use all available means,” Lam said. “The decision to invoke the ordinance a difficult, but also necessary, one for public interest.”

The ban is however, subject to vetting by the legislature when it reconvenes in less than two weeks.

Recall that violent protests in Hong Kong were sparked by a now-scrapped plan to allow extraditions to the mainland.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now