Hong Kongers protest after leader announces ban on face masks Hong Kong's leader invoked colonial-era emergency powers Friday to ban protesters wearing face masks, but the move aimed at quelling months of unrest sparked immediate fresh rallies and vows to defy the new law. But as soon as the law was announced masked protesters built barricades in the heart of Hong Kong's commercial district and began holding flash-mob rallies in multiple district. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES