“As it happened: A historic day in Hong Kong concludes peacefully as organisers claim almost 2 million people came out in protest against the fugitive bill”, South China Morning Post
SCMP Reporters, Hong Kong, 16 Jun, 2019
- Estimated turnout almost double the previous week’s march as almost 30 per cent of Hongkongers turn out to call for the withdrawal of the controversial extradition bill and the resignation of Chief Executive Carrie Lam
- Few thousands remain on the streets singing hymns and praying for the city’s future while police bed down in the legislature
As a peaceful protest march concludes in Hong Kong, those who remain on the streets pray for the city’s future. Photo: Dickson Lee
For the second consecutive Sunday, crowds formed in Hong Kong’s Victoria Park and filled subway stations for another mass march against the government’s extradition bill
It followed a dramatic about-face by the city’s leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, who announced on Saturday she would suspend the controversial bill, after a widespread public backlash that caused hundreds of thousands to take to the streets to oppose it and violent clashes between protesters and police. Six hours into Sunday’s march and a full 24 hours after her original announcement, Lam also said sorry to the Hong Kong people.
Protesters march through Wan Chai, Hong Kong. Photo: Antony Dickson
But the huge march has continued, spilling over from its original route into more than three neighbouring roads. Opponents refuse to accept anything short of the complete withdrawal of the bill and many are also calling for Lam’s resignation
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Protesters march from Causeway Bay to the Central Government Offices in Tamar, Admiralty. Photo: Robert Ng
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As a historic day draws to a close this is the scene on Harcourt Road in Admiralty. Protesters are sitting around relaxing and singing hymns while dozens of police are apparently bedding down in the Legislative Council canteen and library. Join us in the morning for more coverage. A full wrap of the day’s events is here