A group of Hong Kong police officers walked out of a blood donation venue on Tuesday after the sight of a Hong Kong Red Cross employee wearing accessories that protested at police brutality touched a raw nerve.

Reports circulating online said the accessories included miniature yellow construction helmets and gas masks, as well as ornaments with the words “fight police brutality”.

The Hong Kong police have come under heavy criticism for using excessive force when dealing with protesters during anti-extradition bill protests over the past year.

Police confirmed to Apple Daily that the Tuesday incident had happened, saying the behavior of one Red Cross staff member had “raised concern” among police officers at the blood donation center. Both sides tried to mediate but the force later decided to halt the donation efforts after assessing the risks, the police said.

The incident took place at the Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Headquarters in Kowloon Bay. According to a source familiar with the matter, a police officer was infuriated at the sight of an accessory worn by the employee, who was responsible for drawing blood from donors, and demanded that Red Cross supervisors give the employee’s name and position. The request was refused.

The Red Cross admitted to Apple Daily that the services of one of its staff were “less than ideal” and caused anxiety among some blood donors at that event. It apologized over the incident and promised to follow up in accordance with its complaint mechanism.

The auxiliary police headquarters and the Red Cross decided to stop the donation drive after a discussion, it added.

Pro-Beijing lawmaker Elizabeth Quat, from the Democratic Alliance for the Progress and Betterment of Hong Kong, said she would write a letter to the Food and Health Bureau asking it to punish the Red Cross staff member in question.

She described the employee’s behavior as “provocative” and said that Red Cross staff should not bring politics into their work.

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