Tens of thousands of protesters have blocked roads around the government headquarters and legislature in protest of Hong Kong’s looming extradition law.
Traffic is at a standstill as demonstrations use road occupation tactics last seen during the 79-day Umbrella Movement protests in 2014.
Protesters urge passersby to join them, as barricades are used to bridge road divisions.
👉In full: https://t.co/kmLJLFCnSX
Others are making lists of supplies needed “so we can stay overnight,” one protester told HKFP. pic.twitter.com/5gxhAcx6pH— Hong Kong Free Press (@HongKongFP) June 12, 2019
The legislative debate on the bill has been postponed after lawmakers were unable to access the Legislative Council Complex.
Demonstrators remained overnight in the area and pushed on to Lung Wo Road and Harcourt Road in the early hours of Wednesday.
Dressed in black, protesters are using barricades to create bridges over the highway divisions, and are appealing for supplies such as water and face masks.
Pepper spray has been deployed by police on the frontlines of the protest site.
The extradition bill was set to arrive at the main legislative chamber on Wednesday, and a vote expected next Thursday.
The legal amendments were tabled in February to allow the city to handle case-by-case extradition requests from jurisdictions with no prior agreements, most notably China and Taiwan.
It would enable the chief executive and local courts to handle extradition requests without legislative oversight.
However, democrats, lawyers, journalists, foreign politicians and businesses have raised concerns over the risk of residents being extradited to the mainland, which lacks human rights safeguards.
The plan led to the largest protest in post-colonial history on Sunday, with organisers saying a million demonstrators took part.
Two girls give out white ribbons – the colour of the anti-extradition protest movement: “We made them ourselves,” one said.
👉In full: https://t.co/kmLJLFCnSX pic.twitter.com/GB6QFz5KQ2
— Hong Kong Free Press (@HongKongFP) June 12, 2019
Pro-democracy lawmaker Claudia Mo told HKFP the mood of the crowd on Wednesday morning was becoming tense and could lead to clashes: “You can definitely feel the anger, frustration, resentment, just fill in the blank,” she said. “I bet Carrie Lam didn’t see this coming.”
Mo said that the government could be trying to tire the crowd out but that protesters are taking it in turns to occupy the space around the legislature. She added that the Chief Executive should at least postpone the bill: “Hong Kong is plunging into chaos and you want to finish it, you want to complete it with bloodshed. How could you?”
Meanwhile, pro-democracy lawmaker Ted Hui, who has vowed to stand in front of protesters facing police on Tim Wa Avenue, told HKFP that it is difficult to predict how the protest will unfold as most people have come on their own and there is a lack of organisation.
“The anger is growing, starting from the rally a few days ago, and there was physical conflict that day. That’s why I’m here, standing in front of them, asking them to stay calm,” Hui said. “If we are so peaceful and police will still use force, I would say please use force against me first and not the crowd.”
“We are defending Hong Kong… We moved maybe 20,” said Henry, who was moving barricades into the protest area outside the Legislative Council.
👉In full: https://t.co/kmLJLFCnSX pic.twitter.com/Cl6KAUuBcU
— Hong Kong Free Press (@HongKongFP) June 12, 2019
Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung published a video at lunchtime urging protesters to leave the roads and to not to break laws. He also stressed it was urgent for the extradition bill to pass.
Some businesses pledged to close on Wednesday amid calls for strike action.
More to follow.
The Hong Kong Free Press #PressForFreedom 2019 Funding Drive seeks to raise HK$1.2m to support our non-profit newsroom and dedicated team of multi-media, multi-lingual reporters. HKFP is backed by readers, run by journalists and is immune to political and commercial pressure. This year’s critical fundraiser will provide us with the essential funds to continue our work into next year.
