Student activist arrested over June 12 street booth plot

Localist group Student Politicism says its convenor, Wong Yat-chin, has been arrested this morning, for the second Friday in a row.

According to the group, Wong was picked up by officers near his home on suspicion of "promoting an unauthorized assembly".

Student Politicism had earlier written on social media that it would be arranging a street booth on Saturday night to mark two years since protesters surrounded Legco to prevent lawmakers from vetting the government's ill-fated extradition bill.

"In Mong Kok, let us gather again like water, the place full of blood, sweat and bravery," the post read.

Last Friday – which marked the 32nd anniversary of the Tiananmen crackdown – Wong was arrested while trying to set up a street booth in Mong Kok.

Police accused him of misconduct in a public place. Wong was released on bail on Saturday without being charged.

Pro-democracy activist Chow Hang-tung, who was also arrested last Friday, accused the police of copying the tactics mainland authorities use against dissidents.

She alleged that the police were making "preventative arrests" by taking her and Wong into custody before they had even done anything.

Chow said this is similar to how mainland dissidents are forced to take trips or are put under house arrest ahead of major events.