Clashes Continue Despite Coronavirus

About 100 people held a protest at IFC Mall during lunchtime today

Today there were no new coronavirus cases to report, but anti-government protests restarted with social distancing in mind.

At lunchtime in IFC Mall in Central, almost 100 protesters gathered in the atrium and chanted the slogan, "Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times" with someone dressed up as cartoon cat Doraemon, while other supporters encircled the area.

Martin Lee was one of 15 people arrested last Saturday

They were protesting last Saturday's wave of arrests of 15 prominent lawyers, activists and legislators for the anti-government protests last year, and the recent criticism of pan-democrat legislators by the liaison office and the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, claiming they had the power to oversee Hong Kong.

Many feel these recent events show Beijing's resolve in doing away with "one country, two systems" and bring Hong Kong into line by finally passing Article 23, the subversion law.

They also believe Beijing is using the period during the pandemic to crack down on dissent and make it harder for protesters to push back with social-distancing measures in place.

Meanwhile the upcoming annual May 1 Labour Day application to march has been banned by the police, citing the coronavirus outbreak.

At IFC mall protesters kept social distancing measures

The Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions had applied for the march and would practice social distancing by marching in groups of four, according to the current public order ordinance.

"A lot of us are waiting for a march to express opinions. Police should not be in our way," was written in the application, adding Hongkongers wanted to speak out about coronavirus-related economic measures.

However, the police rejected the application on the grounds that it was a high-risk activity:

"Police have grounds to believe that the activists do not only increase the risk of infecting COVID-19 by participants and other people, but also pose serious threat to the lives and health of all citizens, jeopardizing public safety and affecting the rights of others."

The May 1 Labour Day march last year, banned this year

Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor has said if single-digit or no new cases continue, restrictions could be lifted May 7, which is why pro-democracy activists are also applying for a protest march on May 10 in Kowloon.

Each side is digging in their heels even deeper, resulting in greater resolve and more clashes ahead.