🔥 Trending Hong Kong Authorities Raid 'Leave Home Bookstore' and Other Shops, Detain Indivi

The 'Leave Home Bookstore' incident refers to a recent event in Hong Kong where police raided an independent bookstore named "Leave Home Bookstore" (留下書舍) and arrested individuals in connection with alleged seditious publications ¹⁵. This incident is part of a broader pattern of crackdowns on freedom of expression in Hong Kong, particularly concerning materials related to pro-democracy figures.

Details of the Incident

On July 15, 2026, Hong Kong police raided "Leave Home Bookstore" in Prince Edward, Kowloon ¹⁵. This raid occurred shortly after the bookstore announced its impending closure on August 30 ¹.

Key aspects of the incident include:

• Police Presence: Police officers were observed guarding the building and restricting access for non-residents ¹.
• Searches and Seizures: Plainclothes officers were seen moving multiple plastic and cardboard boxes upstairs, suggesting a thorough search and seizure of materials from the bookstore ¹.
• Arrests: At least five individuals were reportedly taken away during the operation, which also involved another independent bookstore, "Garden Bookstore" (田園書屋) ¹⁵.

Broader Context and Previous Incidents

This incident is not isolated. It follows similar actions taken against other independent bookstores in Hong Kong:

• Arrests for Selling Jimmy Lai's Biography: In March 2026, police arrested the owner of "Book Punch" bookstore, Pong Yat-ming, and three of his staff members for allegedly selling "seditious" publications, including a biography of jailed media tycoon Jimmy Lai ²³⁴⁷⁸. This move was widely seen as a significant blow to freedom of expression in the region and raised concerns about the implications of national security laws ⁴⁶.
• Targeting of Independent Bookstores: Independent bookstores, often seen as spaces for alternative voices and discussions, have increasingly become targets under the national security laws implemented in Hong Kong ¹⁵. The sale of books about pro-democracy activists like Jimmy Lai is particularly scrutinized ⁴⁶.

Implications

The 'Leave Home Bookstore' incident, alongside previous actions, highlights the ongoing erosion of freedoms in Hong Kong. It underscores the government's efforts to control narratives and suppress dissenting voices, particularly through the enforcement of national security legislation ⁴⁶. The targeting of bookstores, which are traditionally symbols of intellectual freedom, sends a strong message about the shrinking space for free expression and independent thought in the city.