Halloween Night's Alright (For Fighting)

November 1, 2019 6:43 AM

Hong Kong’s Halloween masquerade protest: 'It's our freedom to wear masks' — Al Jazeera News, Hong Kong, China, 10/31/2019 - Carrie Lam turned Joker. Xi Jinping turned Winnie the Pooh. Other politicians turned devils. On Thursday night, Hong Kong protesters revelled in irreverence as they marched in a city-wide Halloween masquerade, dressing up in defaced masks of unpopular leaders in spite of the city's controversial mask ban. [WaPo report, Reuters pictures, videos].
posted by cenoxo (5 comments total)

Hong Kong Free Press: "Who gives a fcuk that you're an American?"
posted by Mister Bijou at 8:17 AM on November 1, 2019 [1 favorite]

The city council in Boston - where disguised protesters are a hallowed part of the local history - is currently considering a ban on masks at political protests, because some protesters at the August bigot parade worse masks, which maybe made it a bit harder for police to spray them with OC.
posted by adamg at 8:37 AM on November 1, 2019 [1 favorite]

HKFP Lens: Hongkongers don masks for Halloween despite ban
posted by Mister Bijou at 8:53 AM on November 1, 2019

• Gov’t introduces anti-mask law, News.Gov.HK - Law & Order, October 4, 2019:

Chief Executive Carrie Lam:

We are particularly concerned that many students are participating in these violent protests or even riots, jeopardising their safety and even their future. As a responsible Government, we have the duty to use all available means in order to stop the escalating violence and restore calmness in society.

As the current situation has clearly given rise to a state of serious public danger, the Chief Executive in Council decided at a special meeting this morning to invoke the power under the Emergency Regulations Ordinance and make a new regulation in the name of Prohibition on Face Covering Regulation, which is essentially an anti-mask law, something which has already been introduced in a number of jurisdictions around the world and discussed here in Hong Kong.

We believe that the new law will create a deterrent effect against masked violent protesters and rioters and will assist Police in their law enforcement.

I would like to emphasise that the decision to invoke the Emergency Regulations Ordinance is a difficult but also a necessary one for public interest.

Finally, let me reiterate that I and my Principal Officials will continue our dialogue with the public for it is the best way to find solutions to some of the deep-seated social problems in Hong Kong and to allow Hong Kong to move forward.

• Anti-mask law (WP) – Hong Kong:

On 4 October 2019, the Government of Hong Kong invoked the Emergency Regulations Ordinance to implement an anti-mask law[46] in response to the ongoing protest that year. The law bans protesters from covering their faces whether in full or partially during protests, including at rallies given a “Letter of No Objection”.[47] Anyone who wears a mask at lawful rallies and marches, unlawful or unauthorised assemblies, or at riots could be sentenced to a maximum of one year in jail and a fine of HK$25,000. Exemptions include those wearing masks at protests for professional or paid work, or for religious or medical reasons. In addition, the law states that anyone who disobeys a police order to remove a mask could be sentenced to six months in jail and a HK$10,000 fine. Paint is also included in the definition of "face-covering". The legislation went into effect from midnight on 5 October until further notice, and the Hong Kong High Court refused to rule out an interim injunction order but the court will later decide whether to allow a judicial review into the invoke of the Emergency Regulations Ordinance.

• 12 US states and 7 countries that have barred protesters from wearing masks, Business Insider, James Pasley, October 7, 2019
posted by cenoxo at 5:51 AM on November 2, 2019 [1 favorite]

The world’s most-surveilled cities, Comparitech, Paul Bischoff, August 15, 2019:

Cities in China are under the heaviest CCTV surveillance in the world, according to a new analysis by Comparitech. However, some residents living in cities across the US, UK, UAE, Australia, and India will also find themselves surrounded by a large number of watchful eyes, as our look at the number of public CCTV cameras in 120 cities worldwide found.

Here are our key findings:

• Eight out of the top 10 most-surveilled cities are in China
• London and Atlanta were the only cities outside of China to make the top 10
• By 2022, China is projected to have one public CCTV camera for every two people
• We found little correlation between the number of public CCTV cameras and crime or safety

[More statistics:]

• Top 50 most-surveilled cities in the world [interactive map]
• 20 most-surveilled cities in the world [list]
• Spreadsheet [Google Docs] contains figures for all 121 countries and sources.
...

posted by cenoxo at 11:41 AM on November 2, 2019 [2 favorites]