Hong Kong protests: residents angry at access changes during demonstration besiege property management firm for second day

A day after police intervene with pepper spray at estate, residents demand explanation for decision to change entrance codes

They also accuse security staff of stopping those wearing black, the colour adopted by demonstrators, from returning home

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Residents argue with security guards over access to Richland Gardens in Kowloon Bay, with some protesters complaining they were not allowed to return home. Photo: RTHK

Published: 6:59pm, 25 Aug 2019Updated: 10:15pm, 25 Aug 2019

The management office of a residential estate in Kowloon Bay was besieged for a second consecutive day by residents angry at the sudden changing of entrance codes during protests.

Dozens of people surrounded the Shui On Properties Management office in Richland Gardens on Sunday, to also accuse staff of stopping residents returning to their home because they were wearing black, the colour commonly worn by anti-government demonstrators.

There were similar scenes at the same site on Saturday, when police intervened and used pepper spray to disperse some people.

At least two men were arrested by police afterwards for alleged disorder in a public place.

Residents were among those descending on a property management office in Kowloon Bay over the weekend, angry over controversial access changes, which were made while anti-government protests raged in the area. Photo: Facebook

A march against the now-shelved extradition bill, which would have allowed criminal suspects to be sent back to mainland China, took place in Kwun Tong on Saturday, while clashes later spread to nearby commercial and residential blocks.

According to a notice circulated online, the estate’s management office released a statement on Saturday saying all codes had been changed for security reasons because they were leaked online.

Hong Kong protests: residents angry at access changes during demonstration besiege property management firm for second day

A day after police intervene with pepper spray at estate, residents demand explanation for decision to change entrance codes They also accuse security staff of stopping those wearing black, the colour adopted by demonstrators, from returning home

A day after police intervene with pepper spray at estate, residents demand explanation for decision to change entrance codes

They also accuse security staff of stopping those wearing black, the colour adopted by demonstrators, from returning home