More than 200 people were arrested during anti-government protests in Hong Kong on Sunday night, police said, as authorities seek to prevent a revival of last year's massive demonstrations, including through the application of anti-social gathering regulations intended to contain the coronavirus outbreak.
Around 230 people between the ages of 12 and 65 were arrested on a range of charges, including unlawful assembly, “possessing anything with intent to destroy or damage property" and failure to produce proof of identity, police said in a statement.
Another 19 people were ticketed for having violated the Prevention and Control of Disease Regulation, which prohibits gatherings of more than eight people in any public space, the statement said. At one point, police used pepper rounds to disperse people who had surrounded officers, it said.
“Police condemn protesters for disregarding the Government’s disease prevention and control measures, and participating in or organizing prohibited group gatherings," the statement said.
Protesters later chanted slogans and built barriers to block roads in Hong Kong's Mongkok district, and set fires on some streets, according to police.
The nighttime street action followed multiple protests at shopping malls earlier Sunday attended by hundreds, after permission for a Mother's Day protest march was denied. Protesters organized mainly through social media are demanding full democracy in the semi-autonomous Chinese territory and an investigation into alleged police brutality in suppressing the demonstrations.
Last year's protests were sparked by a now-abandoned extradition bill that would have allowed criminal suspects to be sent to mainland China to face trial. China's judicial system is murkier than Hong Kong's and does not guarantee the same rights to the accused.
Hundreds of thousands of people marched through Hong Kong last year in repeated demonstrations that often ended in pitched battles, with hardcore protesters throwing gasoline bombs and police using tear gas and firing nonlethal but still powerful projectiles.
A former British colony, Hong Kong was handed over to Chinese rule in 1997 with a guarantee that it could retain its own legal, economic and social institutions for 50 years. Critics in the pro-democracy camp say Beijing has been steadily eroding those freedoms through tightened restrictions on assembly and freedom of speech, including proposed legislation to criminalize the disrespecting of China's national anthem.
AP Newsroom
Mon May 11 2020
![Police arrest anti-government protesters in Hong Kong, early Monday, May 11, 2020. A pro-democracy movement that paralyzed Hong Kong for months last year has shown signs of reviving in recent weeks as the coronavirus threat eases -AP Photo/Vincent Yu Police arrest anti-government protesters in Hong Kong, early Monday, May 11, 2020. A pro-democracy movement that paralyzed Hong Kong for months last year has shown signs of reviving in recent weeks as the coronavirus threat eases -AP Photo/Vincent Yu](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2020-05/61589190705_hongkong.jpg)
Police arrest anti-government protesters in Hong Kong, early Monday, May 11, 2020. A pro-democracy movement that paralyzed Hong Kong for months last year has shown signs of reviving in recent weeks as the coronavirus threat eases -AP Photo/Vincent Yu
![Like dictators before him, Trump threatens international peace and security Like dictators before him, Trump threatens international peace and security](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-02/61738813756_DonaldTrump.jpg)
Like dictators before him, Trump threatens international peace and security
Trump's threats are no way to treat an ally, but unfortunately for him, international law is on Canada's side.
![Why is there an increase in lung cancer among women who have never smoked? Why is there an increase in lung cancer among women who have never smoked?](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-02/51707394584_TBcancer.jpg)
Why is there an increase in lung cancer among women who have never smoked?
Study suggests that environmental factors, particularly air pollution may be driving the rise in non-smoking-related lung cancer.
![UN refugee agency says Congo fighting leaves 350,000 with no shelter UN refugee agency says Congo fighting leaves 350,000 with no shelter](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-02/71739535661_Congolesepeople.jpg)
UN refugee agency says Congo fighting leaves 350,000 with no shelter
Hundreds of thousands of people are now living in makeshift accommodation, including churches and hospitals, according to UNHCR.
![How will Canada's next prime minister be chosen? How will Canada's next prime minister be chosen?](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-01/41736248917_TBCANADAPM.jpg)
How will Canada's next prime minister be chosen?
The result is due to be announced on March 9.
![Trump says he backs Ukraine, but early concessions to Russia spark concerns Trump says he backs Ukraine, but early concessions to Russia spark concerns](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51720518165_OhmatdytChildrenK.jpg)
Trump says he backs Ukraine, but early concessions to Russia spark concerns
Trump says US troops would not be part of any security presence in Ukraine.
![AI is about job transformation, not job displacement, CoachHub says AI is about job transformation, not job displacement, CoachHub says](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-09/51725854695_ArtificialIntellige.jpg)
AI is about job transformation, not job displacement, CoachHub says
Over the next decade, AI is expected to redefine job roles rather than eliminate them.
![OpenAI’s new ‘deep research’ agent is still just a fallible tool - not a human level expert OpenAI’s new ‘deep research’ agent is still just a fallible tool - not a human level expert](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-02/41739334203_OpenAIlogo.jpg)
OpenAI’s new ‘deep research’ agent is still just a fallible tool - not a human level expert
While OpenAI claims its tool rivals human analysts, AI inevitably lacks judgement, scrutiny and expertise that make good research valuable.
![Different songs for different days: Why it’s important to actively chose the music for your mood Different songs for different days: Why it’s important to actively chose the music for your mood](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2016-09/81473819684_Headphone.jpg)
Different songs for different days: Why it’s important to actively chose the music for your mood
The power of music comes from our choices in what to listen to and the human agency we express in this act.
![Britain wants to smash the gangs - but what gangs? Britain wants to smash the gangs - but what gangs?](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-12/41733826427_MigrantscrosstheE.jpg)
Britain wants to smash the gangs - but what gangs?
Nearly 700 boats carrying more than 36,800 people crossed the Channel between France and Britain in 2024.
![US sovereign wealth fund: A feasible idea to invest strategically, or a giant opportunity for waste? US sovereign wealth fund: A feasible idea to invest strategically, or a giant opportunity for waste?](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-12/51733387237_DonaldTrump.jpg)
US sovereign wealth fund: A feasible idea to invest strategically, or a giant opportunity for waste?
Sovereign wealth funds are usually associated with great wealth - Norway's 'oil fund' is estimated to be worth US$1.7 trillion.
![Hollywood boosts female leads but lags in people of color, report finds Hollywood boosts female leads but lags in people of color, report finds](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-02/51739340361_TBCYNTHIA.jpg)
Hollywood boosts female leads but lags in people of color, report finds
Out of the top 100 movies in 2024, more than half featured a story centered on a female actor as a lead or co-lead.
![Tesla robotaxis by June? Musk turns to Texas for hands-off regulation Tesla robotaxis by June? Musk turns to Texas for hands-off regulation](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-02/51739271639_robotaxi.jpg)
Tesla robotaxis by June? Musk turns to Texas for hands-off regulation
Nothing in Texas law would stop Tesla from launching a robotaxi service.
![Is AI making us stupider? Maybe, according to one of the world’s biggest AI companies Is AI making us stupider? Maybe, according to one of the world’s biggest AI companies](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-06/71685685308_TBartificialintelli.jpg)
Is AI making us stupider? Maybe, according to one of the world’s biggest AI companies
AI should be used as a tool to enhance, not replace, critical thinking.
![Cyber threat: Don’t talk to strangers, no longer relevant? Cyber threat: Don’t talk to strangers, no longer relevant?](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-02/41739421740_CyberThreat.jpg)
Cyber threat: Don’t talk to strangers, no longer relevant?
Today, children in the digital age can interact with anyone online, exposing them to various security risks.
![What is Trump doing - and not doing - to tackle the US debt? What is Trump doing - and not doing - to tackle the US debt?](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-01/51738318245_Trump.jpg)
What is Trump doing - and not doing - to tackle the US debt?
The US has run budget deficits every year since 2001, spending more than it collects and steadily increasing its debt.
![DeepSeek: how China’s embrace of open-source AI caused a geopolitical earthquake DeepSeek: how China’s embrace of open-source AI caused a geopolitical earthquake](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-02/71738907294_TBDeepseek.jpg)
DeepSeek: how China’s embrace of open-source AI caused a geopolitical earthquake
DeepSeek's rise embodies the govts push for open-source collaboration while remaining deeply embedded within a state-guided AI ecosystem.
![Judges to consider barring Musk's DOGE team from government systems Judges to consider barring Musk's DOGE team from government systems](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-02/81739533232_ElonMusk.jpg)
Judges to consider barring Musk's DOGE team from government systems
The states alleged that Musk's team has no legal authority to access payment systems with sensitive data of millions of Americans
![[COLUMNIST] Time to UN-Seat US on the UN Security Council [COLUMNIST] Time to UN-Seat US on the UN Security Council](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-10/51728873693_EMIR.jpg)
[COLUMNIST] Time to UN-Seat US on the UN Security Council
Why not withdraw from the most powerful international forum of all - the United Nations Security Council?
![PM calls for improvements to Sosma - Fahmi PM calls for improvements to Sosma - Fahmi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-02/71739523348_FahmiFadzil.jpg)
PM calls for improvements to Sosma - Fahmi
Fahmi Fadzil says details will be presented by Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail in Parliament soon.
![China builds space alliances in Africa as Trump cuts foreign aid China builds space alliances in Africa as Trump cuts foreign aid](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-02/51739530241_TBCHINAAFRICA.jpg)
China builds space alliances in Africa as Trump cuts foreign aid
As China advances its relationships in Africa with technology incentives, the United States is pulling back.