HONG KONG, June 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Thousand of student poured in Hong Kong’s main government complex early Friday (Jun 21) to stage a demonstration over the pro-Beijing leadership’s snub of demands by protesters who have rocked the city with huge rallies.
The protest comes after weeks of political unrest in which millions have marched to oppose a proposed law that would enable extraditions to the Chinese mainland, but the movement has transformed into a larger rebuke of Hong Kong’s government.
Protesters have called for the government to completely withdraw the legislation and for the city’s leader Carrie Lam to step down.
People starting converging at the complex around 7am (2300 GMT Thursday), many dressed in black – the colour of choice at the rally on Sunday that organisers said drew millions, making it the largest in Hong Kong’s history.
Protesters, who have been largely leaderless during the anti-government rallies, were asked to “hold picnics” outside the legislature.
Organisers have also called for a go-slow protest on roads and public transport, and urged people to gather in other parts of the city to show their support.
Some at the government complex brought placards asking the police not to shoot at them, in a reference to sporadic violence last week between security officials and protesters.
In addition to chief executive Lam’s ouster and the extradition law’s withdrawal, protesters have also demanded the release of those detained during those clashes, and an investigation into allegations of police brutality.
“The government still hasn’t responded to our demands, After so many days… they are all talking rubbish and shifting the blame on one another,” protester Poyee Chan, 28, says
“So I feel we need to come out and tell them: we citizens won’t accept such fake responses.”
The call for Friday’s protest was made by the city’s student unions, as well as informal organisers over social media and messaging apps like Telegram.
Blossom everywhere,” read a statement circulated Thursday in a Telegram chat group.
“There are many ways to participate. Think carefully about your own ways to show your love to Hong Kong. June 21 is not the end of the fight, there will be more in the coming days.”
The groups had also recommended a mass strike, but it was not immediately clear which business or professional groups would support such a call.
Lam has so far defied calls to step down, and while she has suspended the bill indefinitely, it has failed to quell anger.
Administrative offices at the complex were closed on Friday “due to security considerations”.
Opponents of the extradition bill that sparked the crisis have said they fear the proposal will ensnare the people of Hong Kong in mainland China’s opaque and politicised justice system, and also give Beijing a tool to target its critics based in the semi-autonomous territory.
NNN-AGENCIES
