Economic Turmoil in Hong Kong Escalates as Colonial-Era Law Is Imposed

Colonial-era law has been imposed in Hong Kong causing the economic situation to degrade further, with empty ATMs and bank runs becoming a new norm. Protestors and non-protestors alike fear the martial law-like ERO (Emergency Regulations Ordinance) could eventually grind the city’s financial activity to an unprecedented halt.

Also Read: Protesters Wield Tools of Freedom as Hong Kong Imposes Dictatorship

Imposition of Martial Law

The ERO imposed as of October 4 is not viewed as martial law by the Hong Kong government, but chief executive Carrie Lam’s declaration that the city is “not in a state of emergency” seems outlandish given the circumstances. The Hong Kong Free Press asserts:

The ERO is a colonial-era law that gives the chief executive unlimited power in the event of an “emergency or public danger.” The ERO, introduced in 1922, has not been used since the 1967 leftist riots.

Ben Song, an activist from Dallas, Texas, attending protests in the…