9.6 Anti-Wrongful Arrest, Resist Tyranny Rally

Project

EXH-002

Location

Chater Garden, Central, Hong Kong

Date

6 September 2019

Partners

Social and Political Organizations Workers' Union

On the evening of 6 September 2019, the Social and Political Organizations Workers' Union held the "9.6 Anti-Wrongful Arrest, Resist Tyranny" rally at Chater Garden in Central. Lady Liberty HK was transported from the Chinese University of Hong Kong and erected at the venue before the gathering began. The crowd cheered and chanted "Five Demands, Not One Less" as she was raised. Around 23,000 people attended according to organizers — the first large permitted rally after Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced the formal withdrawal of the extradition bill on 4 September, and a signal that public sentiment had not cooled.

The rally's organizers — comprising legislators' assistants, political organization workers, and social organization staff — had been present at protest scenes across the city since June, attempting to mediate between police and demonstrators. Their concern: officers had repeatedly responded with violence and arrest, charging them with obstructing police, unlawful assembly, and public misconduct. By the time of the rally, three pro-democracy legislators (Au Nok-hin, Cheng Chung-tai, and Dennis Kwok), six district councillors, and five legislators' assistants had been arrested — thirteen people in roles whose purpose was to de-escalate.

Union chairman Cheng Hin-kei addressed the crowd: "When police use different pretexts, different methods, and different forms of violence to suppress us, I believe that as a union representing legislators' assistants and political organization workers, if we stay silent, it is no longer acceptable. We must stand up and tell the public, tell the police: we will not accept this unending violence continuing."

Democratic Party chairman Wu Chi-wai criticized police for failing to protect citizens since 9 June, and condemned the withdrawal of the bill as a gesture without sincerity — coming months too late. CHRF convenor Jimmy Sham also attended, calling for MTR to release footage from Prince Edward station on the night of 31 August, and previewing a march planned for 15 September.

The rally remained peaceful. Around 9pm, some demonstrators gathered near the Cenotaph facing police stationed across the street, chanting and directing laser pointers at officers. The police held their position for roughly half an hour before dispersing without incident. That same evening, serious clashes broke out in Kowloon — at Prince Edward station, outside Mong Kok police station, and at Yau Ma Tei station — where police fired bean bag rounds, pepper ball rounds, tear gas, and rubber bullets.