Police officers near the West Kowloon Station ahead of a protest procession, July 7, 2019. Hong Kong police arrested six people during a protest that blocked arterial roads in Kowloon on July 7, 2019. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)

HONG KONG - Hong Kong police arrested six people during a protest that blocked arterial roads in Kowloon Sunday. 

One person was arrested during a public procession that started at 3.30 pm from Salisbury Garden and finished at Wui Man Road outside Hong Kong West Kowloon Station at 5.30 pm. In a press release, police described the event as generally peaceful and orderly. The person was arrested for failing to produce proof of identity, according to the press release.

READ MORE: MTR suspends ticket sale at West Kowloon Station

Later in the evening,  five more persons were arrested. According to the press release, they were arrested around 11 pm for assaulting a police officer and obstructing a police officer in the execution of duties when despite repeated warnings, protesters failed to disperse and police took appropriate action. 

Protesters had blocked Canton Road between 8 pm and 9 pm Sunday. From 9 pm, protestors occupied the northbound flank of Nathan Road, passing through Tsim Sha Tsui, Jordan, Yau Ma Tei and arrived at Mong Kok. Police eventually set up a cordon line at the junction of Nathan Road and Argyle Street. 

ALSO READ: HK police appeal to public to express views peacefully

In a press statement, police iterated that the force respected the public’s freedoms of expression, speech and assembly. It stressed that it was the policy of police to facilitate all peaceful public events while at the same time ensuring public safety and public order. In the statement, police strongly condemned the illegal acts of protestors for blocking the roads.