- Online messages are asking people to leave floral tributes at MTR station where some members of anti-government movement believe demonstrators were killed
- Source inside the force says officers hope to avoid making arrests but new rules to combat outbreak must be followed
Hong Kong police could use new rules limiting public groups to dissuade people from gathering at Prince Edward MTR station on Tuesday night for a monthly event held by the anti-government movement.
Online messages have been encouraging people to leave floral tributes outside the station, where some believe police killed demonstrators during a clearance operation on August 31 last year, despite repeated official denials and a lack of evidence.
The messages also note that new measures banning groups of more than four, in an attempt to curb the spread of the deadly coronavirus, have come into effect.
A police source said officers would first try to persuade people against forming crowds, and hoped not to make arrests on the spot.
"It could be followed by a verbal warning," the source said. "We respect their freedom of expression. But whether they are protesting, gathering or just purely paying floral tributes, the risk of infections still exists when a group is formed. There is public hygiene to consider."
The Post understands the force was seeking legal advice from the Department of Justice and had reserved extra manpower to handle possible clashes.
Whether police would disperse any crowds on the night would depend on the situation on the ground, the source said.
"The protests and any illegal acts are still constrained by the Public Order Ordinance and also the Crimes Ordinance. Officers will act accordingly," the source said.
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Last month's gathering descended into chaos as protesters hurled petrol bombs and police fired rounds of tear gas, with an officer drawing his firearm. Some 115 people were arrested over the biggest outbreak of violence since Covid-19 emerged in Hong Kong in late January.
The anti-government protests began in June last year in response to an extradition bill that laid down the framework for transferring suspects wanted in mainland China, as well as other jurisdictions outside Hong Kong. The government was eventually forced to back down and withdraw the legislation.
The city had recorded 715 infections, most of them residents returning from overseas, as of Tuesday afternoon.
Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor warned of a "public emergency situation" when she announced the tough social-distancing measures last week in a bid to regain control over the spread of the disease.
The ban on groups of more than four people came into effect on Sunday and was scheduled to last at least 14 days. The rule does not apply to private settings, the workplace, public transport, weddings, funerals, courts or government buildings and meetings.
Violators could be fined up to HK$25,000 (US$3,225) and sent to prison for six months, but can opt to pay a fixed penalty of HK$2,000.
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