(Eagle News) — After the Hong Kong government had refused to completely withdraw the unpopular extradition bill, hundreds of protesters again poured into Hong Kong’s main government complex early Friday to demand the resignation of Hong Kong leader, Chief Executive Carrie Lam, who is seen as pro-Beijing.
The people started converging around 7 a.m., many of them dressed in black.
The government had refused to accede to the demands of the protesters who have reached millions to press their opposition to the bill.
Lam has so far defied calls to step down, and while she has suspended the bill indefinitely, it has failed to quell anger.
Earlier this week, she had offered her “most sincere” apologies to the people of Hong Kong for the public tumoil created by the extradition bill
“In recognition of the anxiety and fears caused by the bill in the last few months, if we don’t have confidence from the people we will not proceed with the legislative exercise again,” Lam said in a press conference on June 18.
“I will not proceed with this legislative exercise if these fears and anxieties could not be adequately addressed,” she said.
Lam told a room packed with journalists that she had “reflected deeply on all that has transpired.”
“I have heard you loud and clear,” she said, her voice at times shaking.
“I personally have to shoulder much of the responsibility. This has led to controversies, disputes and anxieties in society,” Lam told a press conference.
“For this I offer my most sincere apology to all people of Hong Kong.”
-Lam apology not enough-
But this was not enough for the Hong Kong residents who continue to oppose the bill, demanding its complete withdrawal.
The recent protests to the bill have so far become the largest in Hong Kong’s history.
The bill would have enabled extraditions to the Chinese mainland.
Protesters, who have been largely leaderless during the anti-government rallies, were asked to “hold picnics” outside the legislature. Organizers have also called for a go-slow protest on roads and public transport, and urged people to gather in other parts of the city to show their support.
Some at the government complex brought placards asking the police not to shoot at them, in a reference to sporadic violence last week between security officials and protesters.
In addition to ousting Lam and cancelling the extradition bill, protesters also want the release of those detained during those clashes, and an investigation into allegations of police brutality.
“The government still hasn’t responded to our demands, After so many days… they are all talking rubbish and shifting the blame on one another,” protester Poyee Chan, 28, told AFP.
“So I feel we need to come out and tell them: we citizens won’t accept such fake responses.”
The call for Friday’s protest was made by the city’s student unions, as well as informal organisers over social media and messaging apps like Telegram.
“Blossom everywhere,” read a statement circulated Thursday in a Telegram chat group.
“There are many ways to participate. Think carefully about your own ways to show your love to Hong Kong. June 21 is not the end of the fight, there will be more in the coming days.”
The groups had also recommended a mass strike, but it was not immediately clear which business or professional groups would support such a call.
Administrative offices at the complex were closed on Friday “due to security considerations”.
Opponents of the extradition bill fear it will ensnare the people of Hong Kong in mainland China’s opaque and politicized justice system, and also give Beijing a tool to target its critics based in the semi-autonomous territory.
(with a report from Agence France-Presse)
