Video footage credited by Timothy Tung

A masked man disrupted a rally showing solidarity with politcal prisoners in Hong Kong outside Sheffield City Hall. 

Hongkongers in Sheffield organised a masked silent standing outside City Hall to support the ‘Hong Kong 47’ pro-democracy political prisoners.

Protesters wore white masks, standing silently with the protest song ‘Glory to Hong Kong’.

The man argued, filmed footage and took head shot of demonstrators.

The man snatched the placard from a protester, as the protester stood in front of the man, held a sign with the slogan ‘Stand with Hong Kong 47’ to black out his camera, deterring the man from filming other protesters.

The man confronted members of the press at a close distance and said: “Are you Chinese? Where are you from? What are you filming?”.

The man left the scene quickly after one of the journalists said he is a reporter at the University of Sheffield.

Organiser Clara Cheung, a former Hong Kong district councillor, said: “I think it’s unfortunate. Some people passing by seem to be pro-chinese government or pro-chinese communist party, they were not happy seeing that Hong Kong independent flag, but I think we have the freedom of speech here.

“So fortunately today there’s no real physical confrontation, but I think we need to be smart to keep ourselves safe, and at the same time protect our freedom of speech in the UK.”