Hong Kong protesters march in masks in defiance of new ban

Tens of thousands of masked protesters marched through the streets of Hong Kong on Sunday in defiance of a new ban.

The demonstrations came after Hong Kong’s chief executive, Carrie Lam, invoked emergency powers on Friday to ban masks in public.

“The anti-mask law just fuels our anger and more will people come on to the street,” a university student identified only as Lee who wore a blue mask told Reuters on Sunday.

{mosads}“We are not afraid of the new law, we will continue fighting. We will fight for righteousness,” Lee added. “I put on the mask to tell the government that I’m not afraid of tyranny.”

Reuters notes that police fired tear gas at several locations Sunday, and some protesters threw bricks and Molotov cocktails at officers.

Protests also closed down the city’s financial district on Friday just hours after Lam announced the ban on masks.

The Associated Press, meanwhile, reported on Sunday that a court has rejected a second attempt to block the ban.

Lawmaker Dennis Kwok told the news service that the high court did agree to consider a request by dozens of legislators opposed to Lam’s use of emergency powers.

The protests began months ago over a proposed law that would’ve allowed the extradition of suspects in Hong Kong to China. While that measure has been withdrawn, protests have expanded to include calls for democracy and Lam’s ouster.

Updated Oct. 7 at 5:36 a.m.