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Two prominent pro-democracy activists were arrested Friday in Hong Kong on charges of organizing an illegal protest — the latest crackdown by authorities on unrest that has convulsed the Chinese territory.

Joshua Wong and Agnes Chow, two of the Umbrella Movement’s leaders who led pro-democracy protests in 2014, were arrested in dawn swoops and accused of “inciting others to take part in unauthorized assembly.”

Wong is the most prominent activist to be arrested since protests escalated in mid-June amid fears China was exerting greater control over the former British colony.

“All we ask for is just to urge Beijing and the Hong Kong government withdraw the [extradition] bill, stop police brutality and respond to our calls for free elections,” Wong said after being released on bail, according to the Guardian.

“Even though I’ve been jailed three times and I face trial on 8 November — which is three months [away] — we will not stop our fight. We shall never surrender. I urge the international community to send a clear message to President Xi: Sending troops or using an emergency ordinance is not the way out. We will continue our fight no matter how they arrest or prosecute us.”

Police said Wong and Chow are being investigated for their role in a June 21 unauthorized protest outside a police station.

Also charged was Andy Chan, head of a now-banned pro-independence Hong Kong National Party, who was detained at the airport Thursday and accused of rioting and attacking police.

Chan’s party was banned last year on grounds of national security, the first political group to be outlawed in decades.

Local residents and protesters shout at police in Sham Shui Po.Getty ImagesLocal residents and protesters shout at police in Sham Shui Po.Getty Images

Authorities grabbed Wong and shoved him into a van while he was walking to a metro station, according to the activists’ political group Demosisto, the Guardian reported.

Chow, who was collared at her home, also has been released on bail.

Isaac Cheng, vice chair of the group, said the arrests are an attempt to spread fear and “white terror” among the population.

He accused authorities of trying to identify leaders in a “leaderless” movement that has rocked Hong Kong for nearly three months.

The Communist Party-ruled government in Beijing has misjudged the situation, he said, urging residents to continue protesting despite the risk of arrest.

Meanwhile, authorities denied permission for a major march on Saturday in what appears to be a harder line on this summer’s protests.

The organizers of the march, the fifth anniversary of a decision by China against allowing fully democratic elections for the leader of Hong Kong, said they were canceling it after an appeals board denied permission.

“The first priority of the Civil Human Rights Front is to make sure that all of the participants who participate in our marches will be physically and legally safe. That’s our first priority,” said Bonnie Leung, a leader of the group.

“And because of the decision made by the appeal board, we feel very sorry but we have no choice but to cancel the march,” she added.

On Friday, police appealed to Hong Kong residents to stay away from any non-authorized rallies, warning that those caught could face a five-year jail term.

Police commander Kwok Pak Chung said he was aware of social media messages urging people to take strolls or hold rallies in the name of religion.

With Post wires

Pro-democracy activists Agnes Chow and Joshua Wong speak to the press after they were released on bail.AFP/Getty ImagesPro-democracy activists Agnes Chow and Joshua Wong speak to the press after they were released on bail.AFP/Getty Images
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