Fifth Anniversary of Hong Kong's 1.03 Million-Strong Protests Against Extradition Bill Marked Globally

Jun 9, 2024, 11:16 AM

This weekend marks the fifth anniversary of the mass protests in Hong Kong against the extradition bill, which saw 1.03 million people march on June 9, 2019. The protests, which began peacefully, escalated as the government announced it would proceed with the bill despite public opposition. The crackdown that followed led to the implementation of draconian laws similar to those enacted by the Tories in the UK. To commemorate the anniversary, Hong Kongers and supporters held events worldwide, including a march in Taipei and a protest outside the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) in London, calling for the UK government to shut down the HKETO and revoke Hong Kong's diplomatic privileges. The Hong Kong Democracy Council (HKDC) announced two new projects: a digital Lennon Wall and a platform for Hong Kongers to share how the 2019 protests changed their lives. Nadia Whittome spoke at a protest emphasizing the importance of democracy and freedom.