HONG KONG: Hong Kong is expecting more protests, including strikes, transport go-slows and even picnics, against a proposed extradition law that would allow people to be sent to China for trial. Meanwhile, the city’s leader decided to go ahead with the bill. Hong Kong — the Asian financial hub took to the streets to protest against the bill.
An online petition has already called for 50,000 people to surround LegCo at 10 p.m. (1400 GMT) on Tuesday. The Chinese-ruled city is expected to see mass protests as nearly 2,000 mostly small retail shops, including restaurants, grocery, book and coffee shops, have announced plans to strike as per the report revealed by an online survey.
The extradition bill has generated unusually broad opposition at home and abroad. It has plunged the city into political crisis. The said bill is due for a second round of debate on Wednesday in the city’s 70-seat Legislative Council (LegCo) which is controlled by a pro-Beijing majority.
Human rights groups have highlighted the alleged use of torture, arbitrary detentions, forced confessions and problems accessing lawyers in China as reasons why the bill should not proceed. (Agencies)
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