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Hong Kong protest: city falls silent as authorities delay extradition bill debate Hong Kong protests: activists call for further action
(about 3 hours later)
Hong Kong fell silent on Thursday as protesters and police maintained a wary eye on each other, a day after the violent clearing of thousands of demonstrators from the streets over proposed extradition legislation that could see suspects sent to mainland China. Activists in Hong Kong called on the city to march on Sunday and boycott work and classes on Monday in protest against a controversial extradition bill that could result in suspects being sent to mainland China.
Officials said debate on the controversial extradition law that has prompted mass demonstrations would not be held on Thursday, and government offices in the financial district were closed. Small groups of defiant protesters remained, attempting to reclaim crucial areas while others appeared to be restocking for the protests, looking for places to hide protective equipment and other supplies. On Thursday, a day after violent clearing of thousands of residents demonstrating against the proposed law, a group of pro-democracy lawmakers and activists attempted to march on the residence of Hong Kong’s chief executive, Carrie Lam, but were stopped by police.
Roads previously blocked by demonstrators and police were reopened and evidence of the protests – piles of trash of broken goggles, bottles, and umbrellas – were shunted to the side of the road where sanitary workers cleaned them up. Dozens of police patrolled the central Hong Kong area. Several shops in a mall near the site of the protests were shut. 1 July 1997: Hong Kong, previously a British colony, is returned to China under the framework of "one country, two systems". The "Basic Law" constitution guarantees to protect, for the next 50 years, the democratic institutions that make Hong Kong distinct from Communist-ruled mainland China. 
2003: Hong Kong's leaders introduce legislation that would forbid acts of treason and subversion against the Chinese government. The bill resembles laws used to charge dissidents on the mainland. An estimated half a million people turn out to protest against the bill. As a result of the backlash, further action on the proposal is halted. 
2007: The Basic Law stated that the ultimate aim was for Hong Kong's voters to achieve a complete democracy, but China decides in 2007 that universal suffrage in elections for the chief executive cannot be implemented until 2017. Some lawmakers are chosen by business and trade groups, while others are elected by vote. In a bid to accelerate a decision on universal suffrage, five lawmakers resign. But this act is followed by the adoption of the Beijing-backed electoral changes, which expand the chief executive's selection committee and add more seats for lawmakers elected by direct vote. The legislation divides Hong Kong's pro-democracy camp, as some support the reforms while others say they will only delay full democracy while reinforcing a structure that favors Beijing. 
2014: The Chinese government introduces a bill allowing Hong Kong residents to vote for their leader in 2017, but with one major caveat: the candidates must be approved by Beijing. Pro-democracy lawmakers are incensed by the bill, which they call an example of "fake universal suffrage" and "fake democracy". The move triggers a massive protest as crowds occupy some of Hong Kong's most crowded districts for 70 days. In June 2015, Hong Kong legislators formally reject the bill, and electoral reform stalls. The current chief executive, Carrie Lam, widely seen as the Chinese Communist Party's favored candidate, is hand-picked in 2017 by a 1,200-person committee dominated by pro-Beijing elites. 
2019: Lam pushes amendments to extradition laws that would allow people to be sent to mainland China to face charges. The proposed legislation triggers a huge protest, with organizers putting the turnout at 1 million, and a standoff that forces the legislature to postpone debate on the bills. 
“We need to come out in unity. We call on all demonstrators. We can win if all of us come out,” said Hong Kong politician and activist Lee Cheuk-yan, condemning the police and Lam, who has been pushing the bill.
The proposed extradition law, which critics say Beijing will use to target political enemies in Hong Kong, has brought up to a million people on to the streets to protest. Beijing and Hong Kong authorities insist the law is aimed at combatting crime.
On Thursday as protesters and police maintained a wary eye on each other, debate over the bill that has prompted mass demonstrations was postponed again.
Demonstrators and observers were shocked by the violence of the previous day, when police charged on protesters, firing rubber bullets and teargas. At least 72 people were taken to hospital, two of whom were in a serious condition.
“Emotionally, it’s devastating,” said Yoyo Chan, who has been staging a hunger strike and sit-in on a path just outside the government headquarters. After the protests were cleared on Wednesday, she went to help clean up rubbish left on the streets and found a backpack abandoned by a protester – a young girl, according to her ID card left behind.
“She’s so young. [The protesters] are so hopeful and just want to help the city. The way they were oppressed yesterday, it’s heartbreaking,” said Chan.
Global backing for protest rights as Trump hopes Hong Kong can ‘work it out’Global backing for protest rights as Trump hopes Hong Kong can ‘work it out’
Demonstrators were shocked by the violence of the previous day, when police charged on protesters, firing rubber bullets and tear gas on them. At least 72 people were hospitalised, two of which were in serious condition. The city was slowly returning to normal after a citywide shutdown on Wednesday, when businesses shut and thousands poured on to the streets. By Thursday morning, main traffic arteries were reopened and evidence of the protests – piles of trash of broken goggles, bottles, and umbrellas – were shunted to the side of the road. Dozens of police patrolled the central Hong Kong area. Several shops in a mall near the site of the protests were shut.
A few dozen protesters remained on an overpass near the government complex, which includes the Legislative Council, where lawmakers will debate the proposed bill to allow transfers of alleged criminals to mainland China. The law, which critics say Beijing will use to target political enemies in Hong Kong, has brought up to a million Hong Kongers into the streets to protest. Despite the anger, the mood was mostly upbeat on Thursday as dispersed groups of demonstrators organised supplies, cleaned up litter and chatted. In Tamar Park, outside of the Legislative Council building, where lawmakers will debate the proposed bill, a circle of demonstrators were were singing worship songs accompanied by a saxophonist.
Others were more defiant. A few dozen protesters on an overpass leading into the government complex, faced off with police blocking their way.
Through tears, Carrie Lam says that she did not sell out #HongKong and that she believes the government has been doing the right thing all along. https://t.co/3Q6rl13yK8 pic.twitter.com/UQjhC0CsrfThrough tears, Carrie Lam says that she did not sell out #HongKong and that she believes the government has been doing the right thing all along. https://t.co/3Q6rl13yK8 pic.twitter.com/UQjhC0Csrf
The group, blocked by police, stood quietly and held up laminated signs that said, “Retract” and “Go Hong Kong”. Occasionally the group broke out into a chant, calling for the law to be pulled. Protesters said they did not know what the plan was for the day. The group stood in silence, holding up laminated signs that said: “Retract” and “Go Hong Kong.”
“Some people had to go back to work,” said Mike Tsang, 23, a recent graduate, who was in the group of demonstrators. He hoped more people would come later in the day. “We are coming here to show the police we won’t give up,” he said. Later in the day, a new group had arrived and held signs that said: stop police brutality. Secondary school students held signs up to the police that said: “Stop shooting Hong Kong students.” One group of protesters chanted: “Stop all violence. Peace and love come to Hong Kong.”
Nearby another group was sorting bags of helmets, face masks and other supplies, and trying to find places around the city to hide the items for when the protesters return, most likely when the debate over the bill is rescheduled. “Today we are safe,” said one of the protesters. “We are coming here to show the police we won’t give up,” said Mike Tsang, 23, a recent graduate.
Nearby another group was sorting bags of helmets, face masks and other supplies, and trying to find places around the city to hide the items for when the protesters return, which is most likely to be when the debate over the bill is rescheduled. “Today we are safe,” said one of the protesters.
Hundreds of thousands of people have demonstrated in Hong Kong against legal changes that would make it easier to extradite people to China. Supporters say the amendments are key to ensuring the city does not become a criminal refuge, but critics worry Beijing will use the law to extradite political opponents and others to China. Under the amended law, those accused of offences punishable by seven years or more in prison could be extradited.
The government claims the push to change the law, which would also apply to Taiwan and Macau, stems from the killing last year of a Hong Kong woman while she was in Taiwan with her boyfriend. Authorities in Taiwan suspect the woman’s boyfriend, who remains in Hong Kong, but cannot try him because no extradition agreement is in place. 
Officials have promised to safeguard against abuses, pledging that no one at risk of political or religious persecution will be sent to the mainland. Suspects who could face the death penalty would not be extradited.
Hong Kong officials have repeatedly said the bill has not come from the central government in Beijing. However, Beijing has voiced its backing for the changes.
Many Hong Kongers fear the proposed extradition law will be used by authorities to target political enemies. They worry the new legislation spells the end of the “one country, two systems” policy, eroding the civil rights enjoyed by Hong Kong residents since the handover of sovereignty from the UK to China in 1997.
Many attending the protests said they could not trust China as it had often used non-political crimes to target government critics, and said they also feared Hong Kong officials would not be able to reject Beijing’s requests. Legal professionals have also expressed concern over the rights of those sent across the border to be tried. The conviction rate in Chinese courts is as high as 99%. Arbitrary detentions, torture and denial of legal representation of one’s choosing are also common.
Lily Kuo in Beijing and Verna Yu in Hong Kong
In Tamar Park, another group was organising stations for food and water, first aid, and legal advice from social workers. A group of secondary students had come directly from school to bring snacks and fruit to the protesters, who planned to stay there until midnight. Some would camp over night to keep watch over the supplies.
But others were still worried that the government was using the announcement as a ruse to throw off the demonstrators. A group of young demonstrators, university students, huddled in a shopping mall near the government buildings, texting contacts to mobilise a group to gather outside the Legislative Council and block any lawmakers in favour of the bill from entering.But others were still worried that the government was using the announcement as a ruse to throw off the demonstrators. A group of young demonstrators, university students, huddled in a shopping mall near the government buildings, texting contacts to mobilise a group to gather outside the Legislative Council and block any lawmakers in favour of the bill from entering.
“Our only chance is to stop the lawmakers from coming in,” said Jason Fong, 19, who said lawmakers could go in today, stay overnight and hold the reading of the bill on Friday. “Our only chance is to stop the lawmakers from coming in,” said Jason Fong, 19, who said lawmakers could go in on Thursday, stay overnight and hold the reading of the bill on Friday.
Several said they believed demonstrators would come back and had been putting out calls to friends and acquaintances through Facebook and Instagram, but also encrypted platforms like Telegram.
Street protesters dig in for Hong Kong's 'last battle'Street protesters dig in for Hong Kong's 'last battle'
Telegram posted on Twitter yesterday, as police were clearing protests, that it was facing a “powerful DDos attack”, referring to a distributed denial of service attack. The crackdown on the protests represented a major escalation of police action against demonstrators. Pictures and videos on social media showed police firing rubber bullets and bean-bag rounds from shotguns, teargassing protesters and beating some with batons.
Speaking on Wednesday evening, Hong Kong’s leader, chief executive Carrie Lam, condemned protesters for “dangerous and life-threatening acts”. Lam, who is championing the proposed extradition law’s passage, noted that some young people in the crowd had expressed their views peacefully, but said the protests had devolved into a “blatant, organised riot”. Man-kei Tam, director of Amnesty International Hong Kong said: “This excessive response from police is fuelling tensions and is likely to contribute to worsening violence, rather than end it.”
“Since this afternoon, some people have resorted to dangerous, or even potentially fatal, acts. These include arson, using sharpened iron bars and hurling bricks to attack police officers, as well as destroying public facilities,” she said. Protesters are wary of police actions against them. Two protesters who were treated in hospital have been arrested, according to local media. Protesters have been obscuring their faces with masks and using encrypted messaging platforms.
Lam added: “To use a metaphor, I’m a mother too, I have two sons,” she said. “If I let him have his way every time my son acted like that, such as when he didn’t want to study, things might be OK between us in the short term. On Wednesday, as police were clearing protests, Telegram posted on Twitter that it was facing a “powerful DDos attack”, referring to a distributed denial of service attack, that originated in China.
“But if I indulge his wayward behaviour, he might regret it when he grows up. He will then ask me: ‘Mum, why didn’t you call me up on that back then?’” Despite the wave of opposition, Lam remains determined to put the bill to a vote, which would be likely to pass because of the dominance of pro-Beijing lawmakers in the legislature. Speaking on Wednesday evening, Lam said: “If I let him have his way every time my son acted like that, such as when he didn’t want to study, things might be OK between us in the short term.
Amnesty International said police “took advantage of the violent acts of a small minority as a pretext to use excessive force against the vast majority of peaceful protesters.” “But if I indulge his wayward behaviour, he might regret it when he grows up. He will then ask me: ‘Mum, why didn’t you call me up on that back then?’” she said.
The crackdown on the protests represented a major escalation of police action against demonstrators. Hospital officials told public broadcaster RTHK that at least 72 people had been hospitalised, of which two were in a serious condition. Pictures and videos on social media showed police firing rubber bullets and bean-bag rounds from shotguns, tear gassing protesters in their faces, as well as beating some with batons.
Man-Kei Tam, director of Amnesty International Hong Kong said: “This excessive response from police is fuelling tensions and is likely to contribute to worsening violence, rather than end it.”
How are you being affected by the Hong Kong protests?How are you being affected by the Hong Kong protests?
Lam has the support of Beijing, which has repeated its support for the bill as important for fighting crime. In an an English-language editorial, the state-run China Daily defended the bill but “the opposition camp and its foreign masters seem willing to oppose it for their own purposes at the expense of the city’s rule of law, public safety and justice”. Lam has the support of Beijing. In an an English-language editorial, the state-run China Daily blamed “the opposition camp and its foreign masters” for riling up residents. “It is lawlessness that will hurt Hong Kong, not the proposed amendments to its fugitive law,” it said.
“It is lawlessness that will hurt Hong Kong, not the proposed amendments to its fugitive law,” it said. The demonstrators disagree, pointing to the sense of community and collaboration fostered. Yau Wai Ping, an associate professor at Hong Kong Baptist University, who was participating in the hunger strike, said: “The protest is bringing people together. The bill affects us all.”
State-owned tabloid The Global Times opposition groups and the “western forces behind them” for politicising the proposed legal changes. “Playing with uncontrolled street politics is to push Hong Kong to backwardness and disturbance,” the editorial said. “This is not a wise direction for Hong Kong.” “We don’t know whether we are going to achieve what we set out to, but long term, I am quite optimistic. So many positive things have come out of this; long-term it will be the beginning of a new era, of the kind of community and civil society we want to make.”
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