HONG KONG (AFP) ― More than a thousand people protested outside a Dolce and Gabbana store in Hong Kong on Sunday after the Italian clothing store allegedly prevented people from taking photographs of its shop front.

The protest followed reports that a Dolce and Gabbana security guard had stopped a photographer taking pictures of its shopfront from the pavement outside.

More than 13,000 people had protested over the incident on Facebook.

People gathered Sunday outside the fashion brand’s flagship Hong Kong store taking photos while some carried placards denouncing the store’s actions.

Dozens of police were deployed to maintain order.

“Trying to ban us from taking pictures in a public space ― shame on them!”one protestor said on Cable News television.

Dolce and Gabbana Hong Kong did not immediately return calls for comment.

On Saturday, local politician and lawmaker Frederick Fung reportedly created a stir in the store by calling out slogans and confronting the manager while customers browsed among the luxury goods.

Fung, who belongs to a pro-democracy political party in Hong Kong, had said the Italian brand needed “to make an announcement and apology.”