Hong Kong residents took part in a silent march to protest the national security laws, Reuters reported.

According to the edition, at least 53 people have been arrested.

In May, the Chinese parliament approved a plan to pass a national security law.

The proposed law has raised concerns in Hong Kong that Beijing is further eroding the autonomy promised when Britain handed the territory in 1997.

“The governments wants to shut us up and to kick us out,” one protester said. “We must stand up and strike down all those people who deprive Hong Kong people’s freedom.”