Hong Kong braces for more protests on handover anniversary

Associated Press
Sunday, June 30, 2019 10:30 a.m. | Sunday, June 30, 2019 10:30 a.m.

Getty Images

Demonstrators wave Chinese flags during a rally on June 30, 2019 in Hong Kong, China. Tens of thousands of demonstrators gather outside Legislative Council Complex to show their support to the police as they fought largely young demonstrators opposed to a now postponed plan to allow extraditions to the Chinese mainland.

1356932_web1_1356932-dd4407add2ee4bd2bf52eb3b319c04ae

Pro-China’s supporters hold Chinese flags and placards read “We support police” during a rally outside Legislative Council Complex in Hong Kong, Sunday, June 30, 2019. Supporters rallied in support of the police at Tamar Park.

1356932_web1_1356932-28b7c9f35450421c80da5e53013bfe25

Pro-China’s supporters hold Chinese flags and placards read “We support HK police” during a rally outside Legislative Council Complex in Hong Kong, Sunday, June 30, 2019. Supporters rallied in support of the police at Tamar Park.

1356932_web1_1356932-e9484d586d4d4d12820f464723019ef5

A pro-democracy protester is stopped by police officers as she argues with pro-China’s supporters during a rally outside Legislative Council Complex in Hong Kong, Sunday, June 30, 2019. Pro-China’s supporters rallied in support of the police at Tamar Park.

1356932_web1_1356932-f36bc85c29054a8ca7c500af565908cb

1356932_web1_1356932-981769f4be824781bffe936727be300a

Police officers stand guard during a rally outside Legislative Council Complex in Hong Kong, Sunday, June 30, 2019. Pro-China’s supporters rallied in support of the police at Tamar Park.

1356932_web1_1356932-84c04dc2251a4c13bb08ccb99b040523

Police officers shows a warning banner to pro-China’s supporters during a rally outside Legislative Council Complex in Hong Kong, Sunday, June 30, 2019. Pro-China’s supporters rallied in support of the police at Tamar Park.

HONG KONG — More than 50,000 people rallied in support of the Hong Kong police on Sunday as the semi-autonomous territory braced for another day of protests on the anniversary of the former British colony’s return to China.

The crowd filled a park in front of the legislature and chanted “Thank you” to the police, who have been criticized for using tear gas and rubber bullets during clashes with demonstrators that left dozens injured on June 12. Some carried Chinese flags. Police estimated the turnout at 53,000.

Hong Kong people voiced their support for the police and called for respecting the rule of law in a peaceful rally Sunday afternoon. pic.twitter.com/dz4DVZcvHo

— China Daily (@ChinaDaily) June 30, 2019

A protest march has been called for Monday, the third in three weeks, this one on the 22nd anniversary of the handover of Hong Kong to China on July 1, 1997. Activists have also said they will try to disrupt an annual flag-raising ceremony attended by senior Hong Kong and mainland Chinese officials in the morning.

Police have erected tall barriers and shut off access to Golden Bauhinia Square, where the flag-raising will be held, to prevent protesters from massing there overnight.

The anniversary always draws protests, but this year’s is expected to be larger than usual because of widespread opposition to a government proposal to allow suspects to be extradited to mainland China to face charges. More than a million people took to the streets in two previous marches in June, organizers estimate.

Around 53,000 people have taken to Hong Kong's streets in a rally to thank police following mass demonstrations in the city.
Monday marks 22 years since the territory was handed back to China, and anti-Beijing activists are planning more protests.https://t.co/V1QrUWIkk7 pic.twitter.com/ptmauz9RyF

— ITV News (@itvnews) June 30, 2019

The proposal has awakened broader fears that China is eroding the freedoms and rights that Hong Kong is guaranteed for 50 years after the handover under a “one country, two systems” framework.

The government has already postponed debate on the extradition bill indefinitely, leaving it to die, but protest leaders want the legislation formally withdrawn and the resignation of Hong Kong’s leader, Chief Executive Carrie Lam. They also are demanding an independent inquiry into police actions on June 12.

In another video from the protests, a demonstrator falls to the ground as protesters run from police outside the main entrance to Hong Kong’s Legislative Council. At least 4 officers begin to attack her with batons and shields while she’s on the ground. pic.twitter.com/IeTTJyjoI0

— The New York Times (@nytimes) June 30, 2019

Hundreds of people gathered Sunday at the Education University of Hong Kong to hold a moment of silence and lay flowers for a 21-year-old student who fell to her death the previous day in an apparent suicide. Hong Kong media reports said she wrote a message on a wall stating the protesters’ demands and asking others to persist.

“It’s reminding us we need to keep going on the process of fighting with the, I wouldn’t say fighting with the government, but we need to keep going on fighting not to have the extradition law,” said student Gabriel Lau.