Hong Kong leader postpones extradition bill, but protests may continue

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.

Lam also avoided questions about whether she would step down from her role, but Steve Tsang, a political scientist at SOAS University of London, told Reuters that he believes her days are numbered. Tsang said that Beijing most likely ordered her to suspend the bill. "She didn't understand what she was doing," he said.

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The demonstrators took to the streets out of concern that the proposed bill threatens Hong Kong's rule of law. A new protest was expected on Sunday and organizers have maintained that it will indeed go on as planned as they continue to call for a complete withdrawal of the bill, Reuters reports.