Tens of Thousands March in Hong Kong, Defying Face Mask Ban – The New York Times

Hong Kong’s leader, Carrie Lam, delayed invoking the law for weeks, out of concern that it would hurt efforts to persuade residents, tourists and international businesses that the city is still a safe place. She appears to think the ban’s potential upside for the government — dissuading moderate Hong Kongers from joining demonstrations — is worth the damage it would inflict upon her reputation.

But Hong Kongers are also deeply sensitive to efforts to erode the civil liberties that have long differentiated their city from the rest of China and helped make it an attractive destination for international bankers and investors. And many here see the ban — like the contentious extradition legislation that triggered the protests — as something that could fundamentally change the city’s identity.

Mr. Chan, the protester in Causeway Bay, said he did not think the mask ban would significantly depress the turnout for rallies or marches in Hong Kong because protesters were already facing rioting charges that carry jail terms of up to 10 years just for showing up at rallies that the police deem unauthorized.

“But undoubtedly, those who are more fearful might not dare,” he added.

Even if moderate protesters stay home, the ban may still inflame hard-core demonstrators who have increasingly resorted to violence and widespread vandalism as a way of pressing the movement’s demands for government accountability and democratic reforms.

Jeannie Mok, a 19-year-old student who was protesting in Kowloon on Sunday, said that when Mrs. Lam promised in September to withdraw the extradition bill, many in the protest movement felt that their demonstrations had lost some legitimacy.

“But this emergency law has sparked everyone’s anger once again,” she said. “I see more people here today, angry and ready to do more damage. I don’t understand why the government would provoke when they want the protests to end.”

The face mask ban has already prompted stiff opposition from Mrs. Lam’s opponents in Hong Kong’s legislature.