Hong Kong police use pepper spray to clear May Day protest by more than 100 protesters singing and chanting pro-democracy slogans in a shopping mall (27 Pics)

Hong Kong police tackled a crowd of 100 protesters with pepper spray last night after they gathered to sing and chant pro-democracy slogans in a shopping mall.

The group met at the New Town Plaza mall in Hong Kong's New Territories, where they sang the protest anthem Glory to Hong Kong and chanted 'glory to Hong Kong, revolution of our times'.

It came despite social distancing restrictions in the city banning groups of more than four amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Police stopped and searched protesters before using pepper spray to disperse those who had gathered. Officers cordoned off the atrium to stop them returning. 

The crowd (pictured) met at the New Town Plaza mall in Hong Kong's New Territories, where they sang the protest anthem Glory to Hong Kong

The protest was one of several small ones that went ahead on the May 1 Labor Day holiday. Protesters also gathered near Kowloon's Mong Kok and Kwun Tong subway stations.

Organizers initially planned citywide protests but many were canceled and protesters were urged to eat at pro-democracy restaurants instead.

Friday's protests were the latest in a string of demonstrations at shopping malls over the past week. 

Police stopped and searched protesters before demanding they leave. They used pepper spray to disperse those who had gathered before cordoning off the atrium to stop them returning

The protest was one of several small ones that went ahead on the May 1 Labor Day holiday despite rules that forbid public gatherings of more than four people

They follow the arrest of 15 pro-democracy activists and former lawmakers last Saturday.

The demonstrations are a continuation of a movement that began last June to protest an extradition bill that would have allowed detainees in Hong Kong to be transferred to mainland China. 

Although the bill was later withdrawn, the demonstrations continued for months before a lull starting in January as the coronavirus pandemic broke out.

The crowd took out phones and cameras to capture the actions of the riot police inside the shopping mall 

Riot police lined up dressed in full protective gear as well as disposable face masks as they tried to disperse the protest

Hong Kong has managed to dodge a major coronavirus outbreak — without resorting to a complete lockdown — by using a combination of targeted isolation and social distancing.

As of March 31, the region had only 715 confirmed cases of COVID-19 — including 94 asymptomatic cases — and four deaths among the population of 7.5 million.

Experts from from Hong Kong found that, following the implementation of public health measures, the epidemic has remained steady rather than increasing.

A member of the press is received medical assistance after riot police has pepper sprayed the crowd

Organizers initially planned citywide gatherings but many were canceled. Police were prepared to tackle pockets of protests

A riot police officer stands next to a clothing brand store inside the shopping mall as protesters chanted and sang

Many countries — including China, the UK, the US and much of western Europe — have been forced to implement tight lockdowns to slow the spread of the disease. 

In contrast, Hong Kong employed a mixture of border entry restrictions, the quarantining of known cases and contacts, together with some social distancing.

The researchers argue that these measures — which are less disruptive to the economy than a lockdown — might be similarly employed in other countries.

Hong Kong has managed to dodge a major coronavirus outbreak — without resorting to a complete lockdown

Riot police officers carry out a crowd dispersal operation inside the New Town Plaza shopping mall in Hong Kong

Protesters held up signs calling from Hong Kong Independence.  Activists say they are fighting against the erosion of the 'one country, two systems' style of governance that guarantees broad freedoms for Hong Kong since its return to Chinese rule in 1997

Police brandished pepper spray guns as they warned protesters to leave the shopping mall

The atrium of the shopping mall was closed and cordoned up after the crowd was successfully dispersed 

Police hold up red tape as they clear the crowd inside the New Town Plaza shopping mall 

Cleaners stood with a brush and plastic rubbish bag as they watch the protests from outside a clothing store

However, the fact that a variety of approaches were employed together means that it is not clear how much each measure contributed to controlling the spread. 

'By quickly implementing public health measures, Hong Kong has demonstrated that COVID-19 transmission can be effectively contained without resorting to [a] highly disruptive complete lockdown,' said University of Hong Kong's Benjamin Cowling.

'Other governments can learn from the success of Hong Kong,' he added.

'If these measures and population responses can be sustained, while avoiding fatigue among the general population, they could substantially lessen the impact of a local COVID-19 epidemic.' 

Riot police quickly intercepted the flashmobs, forcing them to disband as either unlawful assemblies or gatherings that breached the anti-virus measures

During brief rallies in malls last week, activists encouraged each other to keep 1.5 metres apart and stick to small groups of four

A protester shouts at the police inside the New Town Plaza shopping mall as others film him

During brief rallies in malls last week, activists encouraged each other to keep 1.5 metres apart and stick to small groups of four.

Riot police quickly intercepted the flashmobs, forcing them to disband as either unlawful assemblies or gatherings that breached the anti-virus measures.

'I think the government is using the anti-epidemic measures to suppress the people and the mass movement,' John Li, a 33-year-old finance worker, told AFP during a lunch break protest in a mall on Wednesday.

'I prefer to join rallies and marches that have received approval from the police, but if such chances are reduced to zero, I will play it by ear,' he added.

Small businesses are bearing the brunt of the economic downturn in a city where rents are among the highest in the world

A protester uses a megaphone during a protest inside New Town Plaza shopping mall exit during a protest in Hong Kong

Police gathered as they dispersed the crowds from inside the shopping center's foyer

Those who chose not to join mobs instead queued outside businesses that openly support the democracy movement yesterday, a show of support for 'yellow' restaurants and cafes reeling from the twin impact of the coronavirus crisis and months of demonstrations.

Small businesses are bearing the brunt of the economic downturn in a city where rents are among the highest in the world.

Long lines formed at many restaurants and cafes, snaking out onto streets thanks to an online campaign dubbed 'Hongkonger's 5.1 Golden Week' that called on people to visit yellow businesses over the long May Day weekend.

A protester leads the chants using a megaphone as others take photos and film everything that happens

Riot police officers stand in guard outside the New Town Plaza shopping mall to ensure others cannot join the protest

'This week is a great motivation for us to further strengthen the yellow economic circle. We need to keep resisting even though the crackdown is getting harder and harder,' said Miki Chan, 25, who works in the education sector.

Activists say they are fighting against the erosion of the 'one country, two systems' style of governance that guarantees broad freedoms for Hong Kong since its return to Chinese rule in 1997.

The central government rejects criticism that Beijing is encroaching on the city's much-cherished freedoms.

A security guard stands at one of the New Town Plaza shopping mall exits to stop others joining the group protesting inside

Many of the flash protests organizers had called for did not materialize on Friday, although riot police patrolled districts in large numbers.

The 'yellow' promotion comes at a time when mainland Chinese traditionally flock to the city, providing a boost to retailers. But most are staying at home due to travel restrictions adopted to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

Hong Kong is gradually easing lockdown measures, with some civil servants returning to work from Monday.

A ban on gatherings of more than four people remains in place, but some flout the rules on public holidays and weekends. Restaurants are required to operate at half their capacity and set tables at least 1.5 meters (5 feet) apart.