Hong Kong: Mass demonstration ongoing June 16 /update 17

Event

A mass demonstration is ongoing in Hong Kong as of 15:20 (local time) on Sunday, June 16, to protest the proposed extradition bill and to call for Chief Executive Carrie Lam to resign. Crowds gathered around Victoria Park before marching down Causeway Bay Road. Protesters are reportedly moving past Sogo and have passed the Gloucester Road flyover. The march is expected to end at the government headquarters. Heightened security measures, including road closures and barriers, have been implemented in the area. Crowded conditions have been reported at the Hong Kong and Jordan MRT stations, as well as closed turnstiles. Similar metro station closures are also likely in the area. As of Sunday afternoon, the march has remained peaceful; however, clashes between protesters and security forces cannot be ruled out.

Context

Lam announced on Saturday, June 15, that the controversial extradition bill has been indefinitely suspended. However, protesters are demanding for the law to be permanently scrapped. Tens of thousands of people gathered in Admiralty on June 12, where at least 72 people were wounded in clashes with security forces. Smaller, peaceful protests were held on Thursday, June 13. Mass protests on Sunday, June 9, were largely peaceful and attended by up to 1.03 million people.

The recent demonstrations were 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.