(29 Jun 2019) Opponents of a proposed extradition law have announced their plan for a protest on July 1 as Hong Kong marks the 22nd anniversary of the former British colony's handover to China.
The extradition bill would allow some suspects to be sent to mainland Chinese courts, which are controlled by the ruling Communist Party.
Opponents want the legislation withdrawn and for Hong Kong's chief executive, Carrie Lam, to step down, one of the protest organisers, Bonnie Leung of the group Civil Human Rights Front, told a news conference on Saturday.
They also want an independent investigation into allegations of excessive force by police against protesters on June 12, Leung told reporters.
Hundreds of thousands of people filled the streets of Hong Kong in early June to protest the extradition measure, seen by many as eroding the territory's autonomy from Beijing.
Organisers and police gave no estimate for the turnout but activists said some 2 million people, or more than one-quarter of Hong Kong's population of 7.5 million, took part in the early June protest march.
At a separate news conference on Saturday, Hong Kong police said they were taking steps to prevent a possible disruption of a flag-raising ceremony scheduled for Monday.
Police insisted they were not "opposing parties" to the protesters.
"We are a partnership," said police official, San Tsz-kin.
"We are here to assist them to facilitate them how to conduct a public event in a safe and orderly manner."
The Chinese flag is raised each July 1 to commemorate the handover of the former colony.
Lam is due to attend the ceremony, the government said Saturday.
It would be her first public appearance since she apologised on TV two weeks ago for mishandling the extradition legislation.
"Police have received information that someone will disturb the flag raising ceremony," said San. "We have made appropriate arrangements."
Hong Kong was promised a "high degree of autonomy" when colonial rule ended in 1997 but residents complain that is being eroded.
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