As many as 770 people joined a pro-police demonstration on Sunday afternoon, according to police. Protesters called for strict punishment for those involved in the Mong Kok unrest on February 9, as well as for the return of law and order.
March arriving at mongkok 16:00 #fishballrevolution pic.twitter.com/KwtsJqSPuZ
— LostDutch (@lostdutchhk) February 14, 2016
The demonstration was organised by Alliance in support of our Police Force. Its convenor, Leticia Lee See-yin, said that those behind the Mong Kok clashes last Monday “had long wanted a planned, rioting terrorist attack”, Apple Daily reported.
Beijing’s top representative in Hong Kong, Zhang Xiaoming, also said on Sunday that the violence in Mong Kok showed elements of terror. The government’s clearing of street hawkers in Mong Kok triggered violent protests, during which a police officer fired two warning shots into the air.
And the march started….. 15:00#fishballrevolution pic.twitter.com/QInaSu94k4
— LostDutch (@lostdutchhk) February 14, 2016
The demonstration was joined by members of several tourism associations, including Hong Kong Tourism Practitioners’ Union. Apple Daily reported that its honorary president, Lam Siu-lun, said at the demonstration that while the impact of the Mong Kok unrest had yet to be seen, it might dampen the eagerness of potential tourists to visit Hong Kong.
Alliance in support mod our police pic.twitter.com/8qk3oWYznr
— Austin Wong (@austinwhk) February 14, 2016
The Alliance in Support of our Police Force announced the demonstration on February 11. The organisers said there were more than 1,000 people joining the demonstration, while Ming Pao and Apple Daily put the figures at 300 and 500 respectively.
Fraud accusations
During the demonstration, several demonstrators accused Lee of irregularities in the handling of contributed funds. Lee denied the accusations in a Facebook post, and said that she would hold her accusers liable for defamation.
