There’s no more than the usual traffic at Yuen Long Station, but MTR has implemented “crowd management measures” and closed off five exits, on the anniversary of 721, where a mob wielding sticks attacked passengers and press members indiscriminately. 
And if you go down the escalator, you will find an army of riot police officers on the ground at the bus station.
Last year, two officers were filmed leaving the scene of the attack, while reinforcement arrived 38 minutes later.
Last year, two officers were filmed leaving the scene of the attack, while reinforcement arrived 38 minutes later.
Over a dozen police vehicles at the bus station below Yuen Long MTR station. More scattered around the town centre, broadcasting warnings against unauthorised assembly and violations of social distancing rules.
Police officers patrolling the neighbourhood. The 721 attack at Yuen Long marked a turning point in the protest movement as most people saw their failure to respond to the attack and hold perpetrators accountable as collusion between the force and triads.
As in many other districts in #HongKong, iron fences were added to footbridges and traffic lights after the protests - just one of many signs of military urbanism in the city.
Footbridges and traffic lights are not the only ones who need protection in #HongKong. Electricity boxes are locked in special cages.
Two men being stopped and searched on the streets of Yuen Long. Members of the team wear the badge 風林火山. Another man who also stopped to watch was questioned as well. “Am I not allowed to stand on the streets?” He retorted.
Back at Yoho Mall, where there is a call for protesters to gather at 7pm to commemorate the anniversary of the attack, huge number of riot police officers are standing guard around the atrium, some acting as human poles to hold the orange tape.
A few people who stood in the mall, occasionally holding up the hand gestures for five demands were shooed away by riot officers. A few are stopped and searched on the floor above.
It took the officers a good few minutes and many attempts to realise cordoning off an empty space in the middle of the mall’s lobby does not really work.
A cat and mouse chase in the mall. Protesters walk and chant: #HongKong Independence, Only Way Out as well as mock the police for their absence last year.
“Do not forget 721” “police collide with thugs” read the banners attached to helium balloons and now flowing on the ceiling of Yoho Mall.
Set against the mall’s anime backdrop is a big protest artwork on 721.
Police reinforcement, around dozens of officers, arrive at YOHO mall, while many protesters are gradually retreating.
Who knew Sakura Kinomoto and Syaoran are staunch supporters of #HongKongIndependence.
The music plays and everyone stood still. Funny how the national anthem can never command the same respect as Glory to #HongKong and a new law is needed to prevent people from booing it.
One woman, who is being stopped and searched, got emotional while debating with the officer. “Why are we not even allowed to commemorate the incident?”
Multiple rounds of pepper balls fired towards residential building after someone reportedly threw objects.
How #HongKong riot police officers kettle reporters and passers by on the streets. While some asked us to move back, others blocked us from leaving. After checking my press card and letting me ago, another officer asked me to go back and claimed I couldn’t prove I was checked.
Many press members are still being searched and checked. Officer asked me to identify the first officer who checked my press ID, while other officers denied ever seeing me. 2nd officer jotted down my ID before letting me go.
Detained by police officers for the third time tonight. It’s clear by now whom the police are targeting tonight. Officers demanded reporters to stop filming or live broadcasting. “There are too many fake reporters among you guys,” said one officer.
Being detained and checked for the fourth time tonight. I literally left the last search five minutes ago. One officer wielding a pepper spray insisted that we stand outside the cordon line (?!), contradicting other officers on the same team.
Was too worn out last night, but here are some interesting moments from yesterday:
Among those leading the chants in the mall was a man in his 60s, who was in a jovial mood despite the circumstances. "My whole family is yellow, even the son-in-laws," he said with a huge grin.
Among those leading the chants in the mall was a man in his 60s, who was in a jovial mood despite the circumstances. "My whole family is yellow, even the son-in-laws," he said with a huge grin.
"People my age can't do much, to be honest. So I come out whenever I can, even if just to holler a few slogans. 9叫吓 (yelling senselessly) makes me feel better cus I get mad watching the news at home and damage my tv screen by jabbing at it," he said.
One woman got tears in her eye from debating with police officer during a stop and search. "You only have yourself to thank for the national security law. People like you are the ones who got this upon us," he told her. "Why do you have to do this?" she shouted in return.
She was later let go. "I wish I can forget what has happened last year, but how? How do you forget a scene like that?Seeing all the innocent people being beaten up, watching the live and not being able to do anything.I still don't understand how this could have happened in HK."
