Images from the Hong Kong Protests

by Nomad

Hundreds of thousands of Hong Kong residents took to the streets in mass demonstrations against a proposed extradition law that would allow residents to be tried in mainland China.

Once a British colony, Hong Kong has enjoyed some degree of autonomy since the UK agreed to hand over control to the People's Republic of China on July 1, 1997. Protesters now feel that the extradition law will be used to intimidate human rights campaigners and limit the freedom of speech in Hong Kong.

VICE took a closer look at the protests to learn what's actually going on. Here's that report.

Much to the concern of mainland China, the demonstrations were renewed the following weekend.
On Saturday, Carrie Lam, Hong Kong's leader, was forced to suspend the extradition law indefinitely. According to some protestors, this climbdown in the face of public pressure was something of a ruse. The Guardian reported on Sunday:

Opponents warned they saw it more as a tactical retreat than an admission of defeat, aimed at buying time to intimidate or demoralize opponents. There have already been reports of arrests in hospitals, as people sought treatment, and of digital activists.

It was much too early to celebrate, said the opposition lawmaker Charles Mok.

“We are not celebrating. Many of us were still not satisfied that she hasn’t withdrawn it completely, and the way she talked about police [brutality].”

Here are some scenes from June 16 protests.

   

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