28 Apr 2019 | 09:08 AM UTC
Hong Kong: Thousands protest extradition law April 28
Thousands of people attend protest against extradition law on April 28; further similar protests possible in coming weeks
Event
Thousands of people staged a protest in Hong Kong on Sunday, April 28, against a proposed extradition law. Several thousand protesters marched from Causeway Bay to the legislative council building in Admiralty on Sunday, demanding a proposed law to allow extradition to China be scrapped. Further protests are possible in the coming weeks as activists call for more democratic reforms.
Context
The proposed law would allow Hong Kong to extradite people accused of crimes to China, Macau, and Taiwan on a case-by-case basis. Opponents claim the law would erode freedoms guaranteed when possession of Hong Kong transferred from the UK to China in 1997 and may be used to silent dissent of Chinese policies.
The protests come shortly after the sentencing of four leaders of the Umbrella Movement for their part in leading pro-democracy protests.
Advice
Individuals in Hong Kong are advised to monitor developments to the situation, anticipate possible protest and associated transportation disruptions and increased security presence, avoid all public gatherings as a precaution, and refrain from discussing political topics in public or on social media.
