Hong Kong: Tensions remain high as protests continue on June 10 /update 4

Event

Protests against a proposed extradition treaty have continued into the early morning hours (local time) on Monday, June 10, with localized clashes reported across Hong Kong. According to local reports, protesters defied orders to disperse after the demonstration permit expired as of midnight; police subsequently fired tear gas and scuffled with protesters at the Hong Kong Legislative Council Complex. As of 02:00 on Monday, clashes were reported on Harcourt Road in Central and on Lung Wo Road in Wan Chai. The altercations follow similar unruly protests at the Admiralty during the late evening hours of Sunday, June 9. 

A heightened security presence, crowded conditions, and significant transportation disruptions are expected to persist for the coming hours. Further demonstrations are possible over the coming days. 

Context

The Civil Human Rights Front (CHRF), which organized the June 9 march, estimated that one million people participated in the protests; officials maintain only 240,000 joined the demonstration. Thousands of police were deployed to monitor the demonstration while authorities closed several MTR stations, including Causeway Bay, Tin Hau, and Mong Kok, and streets from Causeway Bay to Admiralty were blocked to accommodate the protesters.

Activists and lawyers have held multiple protests in recent months to denounce the proposed extradition law. 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. 

Advice

Individuals in Hong Kong are advised to monitor developments to the situation, refrain from discussing politics in public or on social media, anticipate localized disruptions, and avoid all public gatherings as a precaution.