Hong Kong leader postpones extradition bill, but protests may continue

Carrie Lam.
(Image credit: Lam Yik Fei/Getty Images)

Mass protests in Hong Kong, which began Sunday and continued through the week, convinced the territory's Chief Executive Carrie Lam on Saturday to suspend a controversial bill that would have allowed extraditions to mainland China.

The protests had turned violent with police, who accused protesters of hurling bricks at them. Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets into the crowds, prompting Lam to put a hold on the legislation, reportedly with the backing of Beijing. Lam said she felt "deep sorrow and regret" that "deficiencies" in the government's work had "stirred up substantial controversies and disputes in society." She did say, however, that she would not withdraw the bill entirely, asking for another chance.

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Tim O'Donnell

Tim is a staff writer at The Week and has contributed to Bedford and Bowery and The New York Transatlantic. He is a graduate of Occidental College and NYU's journalism school. Tim enjoys writing about baseball, Europe, and extinct megafauna. He lives in New York City.