Riot police confront Tuen Mun anti-singers protest

Riot police confront Tuen Mun anti-singers protest

Riot police displayed warning banners and threatened to deploy pepper spray as they attempted to clear a protest against singers who gather in Tuen Mun Park.



The protesters heeded calls online to join the demonstration against the entertainers, who they say are responsible for noise pollution and lewd behaviour as they seek to make money from visitors to the park.



Police moved in at about 3pm, telling people present that they were taking part in an unlawful assembly and must leave.



Earlier, officers in riot gear stopped and searched a number of passers-by in the park, including journalists and volunteer medics. An RTHK journalist wearing a press vest had her bag searched and was ordered to produce identification.



Hundreds of people had taken part in a similar rally in Tuen Mun in July against the singing aunties – or so-called "da ma" – accusing them of illegally seeking payment, acting indecently and even engaging in outright prostitution.



At a protest there in September, police fired tear gas as some protesters threw petrol bombs.



Tuen Mun residents have accused the authorities of failing to take any action against the women.