Two retired policemen among three people arrested over clashes sparked by ‘Lennon Walls’, Hong Kong’s latest show of defiance against hated extradition bill
- Former officers are involved in row at Yau Tong MTR station where showdown between protesters and government supporters erupts
- Third suspect filmed in separate case repeatedly punching younger man in Kowloon Bay
Two former police officers, along with another man, have been arrested in Hong Kong over assaults on extradition bill protesters at “Lennon Walls” in separate clashes just hours apart.
The Post has learned that two retired policemen, aged 56 and 57, were arrested for assault during a confrontation with demonstrators at the “Lennon Wall” at Yau Tong MTR station near Lei Yue Mun on Wednesday night, where more than 200 people gathered at one point.
The two men were believed to be among dozens who removed messages posted on the wall in support of the movement against the extradition bill, and hurled verbal abuse at protesters who were tidying up Post-it notes there at about 8pm.
Set up in response to the government’s handling of the now-suspended bill, the walls have appeared in at least 12 neighbourhoods, with countless notes appealing for the draft legislation to be withdrawn and an independent inquiry to investigate the police’s handling of related protests.
WARNING: This video contains graphic violence and language that may offend
Soon after the confrontation at Yau Tong station died down past midnight, clashes broke out in Kowloon Bay at 1am on Thursday, where a 46-year-old man, surnamed Wong, was seen repeatedly punching a 36-year-old man, surnamed Mak, in the face.
Online footage uploaded by Democratic Party lawmaker Roy Kwong Chun-yu and party member Edith Leung Yik-ting showed Wong punching and pushing Mak in the face and chest a combined 13 times, after Wong allegedly removed some of the Post-it notes on a footbridge connecting Kowloon Bay and Ngau Tau Kok.
According to police, Wong is a taxi driver with no ties to the force.
Mak, whom Kwong said tried to stop Wong from removing the notes, took all the punches without retaliating and fell to the ground momentarily.
“You want to start a f***ing revolution? Why can’t I remove all these notes?” Wong shouted.
Mak appeared calm and prevented bystanders from retaliating.
Mak’s friend, who only gave his surname as Leung, said the former, who has martial arts training, deliberately chose to take the punches to avoid the situation escalating.
“[The man] tried to provoke a fight so the whole thing would turn into a fighting-in-public case,” Leung told the Post. “If my friend retaliated, it would have probably turned into chaos and cause injuries to people there.”
Mak had wounds to his face and left collar bone, but was otherwise not seriously injured, according to Leung.
Wong was arrested early on Thursday morning for assault occasioning actual bodily harm for allegedly attacking two men. The other victim was surnamed Lee, 65.
Mak and Lee both sustained facial injuries and were treated and later discharged from United Christian Hospital.
Pro-democracy lawmakers condemned the attack on Mak and the earlier row in Yau Tong MTR station, urging police to launch a thorough investigation into the incidents.
They said the display of Post-it notes was nothing but a peaceful expression of people’s demands, and should be allowed.
Claudia Mo Man-ching, convenor of the bloc, said Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor should be ultimately held accountable.
“Carrie Lam is the ultimate culprit, she has been the perpetrator of what’s happening in Hong Kong,” Mo said. “She’s facing this fundamental loss of confidence and trust from Hong Kong people ... She must come out urgently to respond to the people’s demands.”
Civic Party leader Alvin Yeung Ngok-kiu said: “Citizens are using the most peaceful way to express their will.
“Only if Carrie Lam squeezes in a bit of time and has a walk around the ‘Lennon Walls’ will she then know what Hong Kong people want.”
Carrie Lam is the ultimate culprit, she has been the perpetrator of what’s happening in Hong Kong
Meanwhile, Secretary for Food and Health Sophia Chan Siu-chee said action would be taken if activities at “Lennon Walls” in different districts caused sanitation issues.
The original “Lennon Wall”, dedicated to late Beatle John Lennon, was established in the 1980s in Prague, in the Czech Republic, and was covered with graffiti and lyrics inspired by the band.
