Hong Kong student groups have launched further protests, mobilising support for another major demonstration as the deadline expired for the pro-Beijing government to respond to demands of protesters after Chief Executive Carrie Lam failed to quell the opposition with her apology. Protesters, who have shaken the city with massive rallies, had put forward 4 demands but the Hong Kong government failed to respond to those demands before a deadline set by the groups.
Lam suspended the extradition bill, which would allow criminal suspects in the former British colony to be extradited to mainland China for trial, but some student groups called on her to axe it all together, setting the 05:00 pm (02:30 pm IST) deadline. They are also demanding that the government drop all charges against those arrested during last week's protests, charge police with what they describe as violent action and stop referring to the protests as a riot.
Hong Kong police force has vowed to act against "illegal activities" of protesters after thousands of people blocked the police headquarters, according to a press release issued by the government.
The press release stated that the work of the police was impacted severely due to the protests and dozens of emergency calls could not be handled due to the siege. It also stated that the means used by protesters for expressing views have become "illegal, irrational and unreasonable."
Hong Kong Police Force is claiming that an ambulance is stuck in traffic as major roads are blocked by protesters. Police called on protesters to leave "relevant roads" to make sure healthcare is accessible to those in need.
Due to the obstruction intentionally caused by the protestors outside Police Headquarters, the ambulance vehicle which has been called at 2133 hours cannot access to Police Headquarters for over 1 hour to convey people..
— Hong Kong Police Force (@hkpoliceforce) June 21, 2019
...who are suffering from long-term illness, cancer and those in need. Police hereby appeals to leave from the relevant roads as soon as possible.
— Hong Kong Police Force (@hkpoliceforce) June 21, 2019
Hong Kong Bar Association has released a press statement asking the government to withdraw the controversial extradition bill as protesters blocked the key roads and disrupted public services during renewed protests.
The statement added that the government should make a commitment that it will not introduce any legislation on the question of surrender of fugitives and cross-border legal assistance without full and open consultation involving the Hong Kong public and others who have an interest in the subject matter.
According to tweets being shared by protesters and journalists present in Hong Kong, the situation is reportedly tense at Hong Kong police headquarters with thousands of protesters present at the scene as the government stopped short of withdrawing the extradition bill.
Massive......Wanchai police station21:53#extraditionlawprotest #antiELAB pic.twitter.com/keZbHrFd89
— LostDutch (@lostdutchhk) June 21, 2019
A defiant crowd of #antiELAB protesters remain outside #HongKong #police HQ well into the night. They want the force to release all those arrested during recent #AntiExtraditionLaw protests, & to drop label of “riot” for #612protest last week in #HK #HongKongProtests pic.twitter.com/geBpHZFUQM
— Damon Pang (@damon_pang) June 21, 2019
Hong Kong government has reportedly admitted that multiple government departments have been affected due to the protests on Friday.
JUST IN: In a statement, the #HongKong gov't urged protesters to remain peaceful, admitting that multiple gov't dept's have been affected by Fri's protests.It said the gov't had "completely stopped" work on the controversial extradition bill. 👉 In full: https://t.co/kmLJLFCnSX pic.twitter.com/izfkHyfnom
— Hong Kong Free Press (@HongKongFP) June 21, 2019
The government, however, stopped short of withdrawing the bill and maintained that the bill will expire in July 2020.
It added that the extradition bill will automatically expire in July next year when the legislative term ends. “The government will accept this fact,” the statement said. 👉 In full: https://t.co/kmLJLFCnSX pic.twitter.com/sHk4hYV9KY
— Hong Kong Free Press (@HongKongFP) June 21, 2019
Hong Kong government has issued a press release saying the 999 hotline services were affected due to protests around the building. Government also urged protesters to leave the scene as soon as possible.
Amnesty International has expressed concerns about the use of excessive force against protesters during June 12 protests and called on Chief Executive Carrie Lam to ensure the investigation into the incidents.
Tear gas + rubber bullets + pepper spray + batons on peaceful protesters = excessive force. pic.twitter.com/ekxN5FbZ6C
— Amnesty International (@amnesty) June 21, 2019
Visuals from a Facebook Live video show thousands of protesters blocking key roads and entrances of government offices as Non-Cooperation movement gathers momentum. No incidents of violence or police "brutality" have been reported during the renewed protests.
Going by the tweets being posted by protesters and journalists present at Hong Kong, the situation seems largely peaceful with no incidents of violence as thousands of protesters blocked key roads and offices.
16:00 Protesters are now moving towards Queensway Government Offices. Many of them stop by Pacific Place to pay tribute to Mr Leung. A man is playing Amazing Grace on woodwind recorder #antiELAB #ExtraditionBill #HongKongProtest #反送中 pic.twitter.com/Pt2ZVBb527
— HKDemoNow (@hkdemonow) June 21, 2019
[1553] After shutting down Revenue Tower, many protesters return to Police Headquarters West Vehicle Entrance #NoExtraditionToChina #AntiELAB #ExtraditionBill #HongKong #反送中 pic.twitter.com/kVmLoVYLNp
— Goofrider 🏳️🌈 (@goofrider) June 21, 2019
A dozen of believers singing Hallelujah to the lord outside the police HQs. Protesters begin to shout less at the police. #AntiELAB pic.twitter.com/l5R4c8Snrc
— Xinqi Su (@XScmp) June 21, 2019
Protestors are now leaving Immigration Department. They’ve made their point peacefully with a huge show of force, and now they’re off. Weirdly, and somewhat eerily, no police in sight. #antiextraditionlaw #AntiELAB #NoChinaExtradition pic.twitter.com/PtOKasOzwW
— Alex Hofford (@alexhofford) June 21, 2019
Thousands dressed in black marched in Hong Kong on Friday to press for the full withdrawal of a controversial extradition bill that has triggered violent protests and plunged the financial hub into a political crisis.
Demonstrators, mostly students wearing hard hats, goggles and face masks, disrupted traffic on key roads in a mostly peaceful protest to demand that embattled leader Carrie Lam, who promoted and then postponed the bill, scrap it altogether.