Hong Kong police check IDs during ‘crowd control’ operation outside event for pro-democracy singer

Hong Kong police on Thursday checked the identity cards of fans queueing outside an event for pro-democracy singer Anthony Wong, citing crowd control.

Hong Kong police inspect fans queueing outside an event of pro-democracy singer Anthony Wong on April 18, 2024. Photo: supplied.

Wong and lyricist Chow Yiu-fai were holding an autograph session organised by art group The House of Hong Kong Literature in in Sham Shui Po on Thursday evening when police officers arrived, a fans present at the scene told HKFP.

According to Louis Lee, around two dozen people were queueing to get inside the venue at approximately 7.30 pm when police officers asked to see and record their identity cards.

A crowd of 60 to 70 people gathered for the beginning of the event at 6 pm, Lee said, adding that people were queueing “in an orderly manner” and that he did not notice excessive noise.

Police told HKFP on Friday they were conducting crowd control and no arrests were made. The force did not elaborate whether there was a complaint against the event.

The House of Hong Kong Literature told HKFP on Friday that a police officer at the scene said the force was responding to a complaint, but did not specify the identity of the complainant or the nature of the accusation.

Lee said the police officer who conducted the inspection did not say whether they had received any complaint.

The autograph session marked the last day of an exhibition featuring the works of local writers, curated by The House of Hong Kong Literature. Lee said the group had arranged for fans to enter the venue in groups to avoid over-crowding.

Hong Kong singer Anthony Wong (right) and founder of independent bookstore Mount Zero Sharon Chan (middle) on March 31, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. — Hong Kong singer Anthony Wong (right) is seen outside independent bookstore Mount Zero on March 31, 2024. File photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

Wong, whose avant-garde Cantopop duo Tat Ming Pair last performed in the city in December 2021, was a vocal pro-democracy advocate during the 2014 Umbrella Movement and the 2019 protests and unrest.

Last May, the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre axed a booking by Wong without giving reason.