Hong Kong: Protesters block Harcourt Road June 21 /update 22

Event

Thousands of people have gathered in Admiralty on Friday, June 21, to protest the government’s failure to address their demands. As of 11:15 (local time), protesters are barricading sections of Harcourt Road at the Tim Mei Avenue intersection and only allowing traffic to move through a single lane. Demonstrators had initially rallied outside of the Legislative Council Complex and are reportedly moving onto Harcourt Road. Significant traffic disruptions are ongoing and may expand as more protesters move into the area. Heightened security measures and further transportation disruptions (including road and metro station closures) are possible in the coming hours. While the protest organizers have called for the rally to remain peaceful, clashes between protests and security forces cannot be ruled out.

Context

Protesters asked the government meet several demands by Thursday, June 20, including permanently scrapping the controversial extradition bill, the resignation of Chief Executive Carrie Lam, an investigation into the police response to previous protests, and the release of demonstrators detained by the police.

Mass demonstrations of up to a million people have been held since June 9 in opposition to a controversial extradition bill that would allow Hong Kong to extradite fugitives wanted in mainland China, along with Macau and Taiwan. Opponents claim the law would erode freedoms guaranteed by China in 1997 and may be used to silence dissent on Chinese policies.

Advice

Individuals in Hong Kong are advised to monitor the situation, adhere to instructions issued by local authorities, refrain from discussing political subjects in public or on social media, avoid all public gatherings due to the risk of violence and arrest, and anticipate transportation disruptions and a heightened security presence.