Hundreds arrested, thousands protest in Hong Kong during first day under new national security law

Thousands of people gathered in Hong Kong on July 1, 2020, expressing anger over Beijing's national security law for the city, as it marked 23 years since its handover from British to Chinese rule. Police had banned the annual protest march organised by pro-democracy activists, citing concerns over Covid-19 and violence in previous demonstrations. Despite the ban, thousands protested and engaged in a game of cat and mouse with police in Hong Kong's busy Wan Chai district.