特首林鄭月娥昨午宣布引用《緊急情況規例條例》通過《禁止蒙面規例》，今日凌晨生效。不但無助「止暴制亂」，火上加油的效果立竿見影。宣報前已有數千人在中環遊行抗議。全民怒火沖天引爆禍延全港，全港大部分商場及很多商舖提早落閘，18區均有抗議遊行集會，質疑政府是為再引用《緊急法》鋪路。
當中港島至少六區包括中環、金鐘、灣仔、銅鑼灣、太古，甚至從未發生警民衝突的香港仔，均有示威者堵路，他們首次高叫新口號「香港人，反抗」，並破壞沿途中資及撐警店舖，港鐵站亦宣布因縱火而臨時關站，警方至昨晚10時開始在各區出動防暴警，並發射催淚彈清場，巿面遭受不同程度的破壞，儼如戰區。
中環有逾萬市民在畢打街及環球中心外干諾道中集會抗議，因人太多流出馬路，交通停頓。
其後人群遊行往金鐘方向，政府總部金鐘站外夏慤道亦被佔領，東西行車輛均不能通過。
銅鑼灣崇光百貨公司外有幾千人集會，有人揮舞「光復香港 時代革命」黑旗，東西行車線均被佔領，十幾輛巴士不能通過，停在馬路上，地鐡銅鑼灣站落閘，停止服務。9時左右，有人不满地鐡封站，在E出口放火及F1出口製造消防灑水。消防員到場滅火及處理。
灣仔鵝頸橋附近亦有大批市民集會，巨型民主女神像現身，市民情緒高漲，高叫「五大訴求 缺一不可」，「香港人反抗」等口號。
“Hong Kong People Resist” Citywide as Emergency Law Mask Ban Escalates Conflicts
More mass protests were sparked on Friday after the Hong Kong government invoked emergency legislation to ban masks at protests, which came into effect at midnight last night.
The government said the law, banning people from wearing masks at any lawful or unlawful demonstration, was intended to halt violent protests. Before the announcement was made, thousands of protesters marched in Central – the main business district of Hong Kong, in opposition to the emergency legislation. After the law was announced at 3pm, thousands wearing masks gathered in Central again and blocked Connaught Road Central near Exchange Square.
The city exploded in anger. Protests and rallies were held in 18 districts questioning the government’s hidden agenda to pave the way for the “Emergency Law.”
Protest rallies resulting in roads blocked in at least 6 districts of Hong Kong Island, including Central, Admiralty, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay, Tai Koo, and even Aberdeen, for the first time. “Hong Kong people, resist” was the new chant.
Protesters damaged China-related and pro-police businesses along the way. MTR stations were closed the station due to arson. Riot police were deployed in various districts at 10 pm and fired tear gas to clear the scene.
In Central, over 10000 people rallied at Pedder Street and Conaught Road Central near Exchange Square. Traffic has stalled as too many people had flooded the roads.
Afterwards, the massive crowd marched toward Admiralty. Harcourt Road outside Admiralty Station and government headquarters was also occupied, and both east and west-bound traffic lanes were blocked.
In Causeway Bay, thousands of people gathered outside Sogo Department Store while someone waved the black flag reading “Free Hong Kong, Revolution of the Time”. Both east and west-bound traffic lanes were occupied. More than a dozen buses could not pass and parked at the road. MTR Causeway Bay Station was closed. At around 9 pm, some people were dissatisfied with the station closure and set fire to Exit E and activated fire sprinklers at Exit F1. Firemen were despatched.
In Wanchai, numerous people gathered near Canal Road. The giant statue of Lady Liberty of Hong Kong in full gear appeared. Public sentiment was high and chanted “5 Demands, Not One Less” and “Hong Kong People, Resist”.
