Hong Kong Protest Leaders Arrested Ahead Of Weekend Rally

Three high-profile pro-democracy leaders in Hong Kong were arrested prior to what is expected to be another long weekend of protests and rallies in the former British colony. Joshua Wong, the leader of the 2014 pro-democracy demonstration, known as the “Umbrella Movement”, was arrested Friday, according to Demosisto, a pro-democracy group under Wong’s leadership.

Also arrested was Agnes Chow, a former high ranking Demosisto member. They were both charged with "inciting others to participate in unlawful assembly", "organizing unauthorized assembly" and "knowingly participating in an unauthorized assembly," according to police.

A third pro-democracy leader, Andy Chan, was also arrested for the second time this month, according to a CNN report. He is the founder of the now-outlawed pro-independence Hong Kong National Party.

This could be a sign that the Hong Kong government, under Chief Executive Carrie Lam and the Hong Kong Police Force, are ready to step up their efforts to end the protests. Lam told reporters that "All laws in Hong Kong — if they can provide a legal means to stop violence and chaos — the (city's) government is responsible for looking into them.”

Lam is under pressure to at least achieve a peaceful appearance in Hong Kong by Sunday, Oct. 1, which is a public holiday in China, Macau and Hong Kong marking the 70th anniversary of the formation of the People’s Republic of China. Beginning with a flag-raising in Beijing followed by large military parades, the day concludes with spectacular fireworks displays in cities all over the country including Hong Kong.

After Oct. 1, there is a “Golden Week” that ends on the 7th where a lot of Chinese people take vacations to visit other areas of the country. Politically, the celebration renews the relationship of the Chinese government with foreign governments.

Their leaders will declare the willingness to establish diplomatic relationships with any foreign state if the foreign governments abide by the principle of equality, mutual benefit and mutual respect for territorial integrity as defined by the Chinese leaders. Any appearance of unrest in Hong Kong would be a blemish on what the Chinese government views as a glorious event.

One of Lam’s options is to use the Emergency Regulations Ordinance that would allow her to bypass laws and "make any regulations whatsoever which (they) may consider desirable in the public interest" for however long they deem necessary. And that could include censorship of publications, writings, and any means of communications including the internet.

The IT industry in Hong Kong bristles at this possibility. Charles Mok, a legislator who represents the IT industry, said any internet shutdown in Hong Kong would be "truly the darkest day." Doing so would "ruin our economy, social fabrics and our core values of freedom and free flow of information.”