Thousands protest mask ban as HK leader toughens stance

Thousands of defiant masked protesters streamed into Hong Kong streets on Friday after the city's embattled leader invoked rarely used emergency powers to ban masks at rallies in a hardening of the government's stance after four months of anti-government demonstrations.

Challenging the ban set to take effect Saturday, protesters crammed streets in the central business district and other areas, shouting "Hong Kong people, resist."
Carrie Lam said at an afternoon news conference that the mask ban, imposed under a colonial-era Emergency Ordinance that was last used over half a century ago, targets violent protesters and rioters and "will be an effective deterrent to radical behaviour."
Lam wouldn't rule out a further toughening of measures if violence continues. She said she would not resign because it wouldn't help since Hong Kong is in "a very critical state of public danger."