Hong Kong invokes emergency powers to ban protester masks

Police chase flash mobs through the night; entire MTR rail system shut down

20191004 Carrie Lam

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam attends a news conference in the city on Friday. © Reuters

DEAN NAPOLITANO, Nikkei Asian Review deputy editor, and NIKKI SUN, Nikkei staff writer

HONG KONG -- Hong Kong officials invoked sweeping emergency powers that would ban the wearing of masks by protesters during demonstrations.

Carrie Lam, the city's chief executive, on Friday announced the invocation of the colonial-era Emergency Regulations Ordinance. The law's authority is to be used for the first time since 1967, and the mask ban will take effect from midnight.

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