City
Epaper

Thousands protest in HK tourist spot against extradition bill

By IANS | Updated: July 7, 2019 14:50 IST

Tens of thousands of protesters gathered in Hong Kong's famous Kowloon tourist hotspot and participated in a first march after the storming of the parliament building to demand the abolition of a controversial extradition law and the resignation of Chief Executive Carrie Lam.

Open in App

Sunday's march was the latest major protest calling for the full withdrawal of the legislation, which would have allowed the transfer of fugitives to mainland China and other jurisdictions with which the city had no extradition agreement, reports the South China Morning Post.

Protesters are aiming to take the march to the high-speed train station in western Kowloon, which operates a service connecting Hong Kong to the mainland Chinese cities of Guangzhou and Shenzhen.

Shortly before the march, organiser Ventus Lau Wing-hong said he believed more people had joined in solidarity with protesters who had stormed the legislature on July 1.

"I believe the residents who came out today want to tell the government that they are united and won't be split," he added.

He appealed to the marchers to "remain peaceful and graceful" in the face of heavy police presence and possible provocation from members of the opposite camp.

Crowds had responded to his call with applause and a loud chorus of "yes".

To avoid any potential disruption, police stepped up their presence around West Kowloon and Tsim Sha Tsui, and some officers carried pepper spray as they patrolled Salisbury Road near the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.

Sunday's protest march comes after a group of Hong Kong student leaders last week rejected Lam's offer of a private meeting about the recent protests over the now-suspended extradition bill, calling it "too little, too late", the South China Morning Post reported.

The government's offer came after hundreds of mostly young protesters stormed the city's legislature on the night of July 1, writing slogans on the wall, defacing Hong Kong's official emblem and smashing equipment, furniture and work areas.

Among the protesters' demands were for Lam to fully withdraw the bill and to order an independent inquiry into the use of force by police during clashes on June 12.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: Hong KongchinaWest KowloonLAMSouth China Morning Post
Open in App

Related Stories

InternationalTyphoon Ragasa Live Tracker Map: Deadly Cyclonic Storm Nears Vietnam After Wreaking Havoc in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan; Check Real-Time Status

CricketHong Kong Sixes 2025: Dinesh Karthik Appointed Captain of Team India

CricketBAN vs HK 2025 LIVE Cricket Streaming: When and Where to Watch Asia Cup 2025 Match Between Bangladesh and Hong Kong?

CricketBangladesh vs Hong Kong, Asia Cup 2025: Likely Playing XI, Sheikh Zayed Stadium Pitch Report, Weather Forecast and Other Stats

CricketRashid Khan-Led Afghanistan Beat Hong Kong by 94 Runs in Asia Cup 2025 Opener (VIDEO)

International Realted Stories

InternationalEarthquake of magnitude 3.1 hits Myanmar

InternationalWill be meeting Xi Jinping in four weeks, says Trump

InternationalDeath toll reaches 69 in Philippines earthquake

InternationalSeveral feared trapped in Indonesia school building collapse

InternationalPakistan: Minor child dies in accidental firing in Karachi