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Olympic torch relay kicks off in Hong Kong

Police deported at least seven people on Friday as the Olympic torch relay kicked off in Hong Kong.

  • Agencies
  • Published: 09:30 May 2, 2008
  • Gulf News

  • Image Credit: Reuters
  • Protestors march along with the Olympic torch as it passes through Hong Kong on Friday.

Hong Kong: Police deported at least seven people on Friday as the Olympic torch relay kicked off in Hong Kong.

The seven pro-democracy and human rights activists were arrested in the city's Kowloon Park within an hour after the relay's start.

Runners carried the torch through city streets lined with people waving Chinese flags in a show of support for the Beijing Olympics.

Hong Kong residents were encouraged to wear red to show their support for the flame, while protesters have said they would wear orange to symbolise freedom.

Authorities braced for possible protests on Friday and at least 3,000 police were deployed in the city.

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