The public are demonstrating against a controversial extradition bill that would mean suspected criminals would be sent to China to face trial
Porn sites in Hong Kong temporarily shut down on Wednesday (June 12) to encourage users to go out and join huge protests in the city.
Entering their second week of action, protesters are calling for the withdrawal of a controversial law that would make it easier to extradite people to China. Under the proposed bill, those accused of crimes punishable by a minimum of seven years in prison could be extradited, but critics worry the law will be misused in order to get rid of China’s political opponents.
On Tuesday evening, adult sites AV01 and ThisAV showed their support of protests by publishing messages on their homepages urging users to go out and join the demonstrations. ThisAV called on people to attend the “life and death” protests instead of “playing” on the internet, while AV01 wrote: “The government has failed you, the system has failed you, the society has failed you, do you want to fail yourself?”
As well as porn sites shutting down, over 100 Hong Kong business temporarily closed, allowing workers to join demonstrations.
Organisers say the protests attracted two million people – the largest in the city’s history – with their action forcing leader Carrie Lam to issue a public apology, and indefinitely suspend efforts to pass the extradition bill.
“The Chief Executive acknowledges that her government work has been unsatisfactory,” an official statement read, “leading to confusion and conflict in society, and leading to disappointment and heartbreak. The Chief Executive… is open to receiving criticism (on how to) further improve and provide better services for the broader society.”
Not addressing any of the protestors’ demands – withdrawing the extradition law, ending a crackdown on activists, and holding police accountable for brutality at protests – Lam’s apology has been widely rejected, with many (including prominent student activist Joshua Wong) now calling for her resignation.
22-year-old Wong was released from prison today after being jailed in May for his involvement in Hong Kong’s 2014 Occupy Central demonstrations (also dubbed the Umbrella Movement), led by pro-democracy student protestors.
Hello world and hello freedom. I have just been released from prison. GO HONG KONG!! Withdraw the extradition bill. Carrie Lam step down. Drop all political prosecutions!
— Joshua Wong 黃之鋒 (@joshuawongcf) June 17, 2019
“It’s really good timing to join the fight for freedom and democracy,” Wong told CNN. “Five years ago after the end of the Umbrella Movement, we claimed we would be back. Yesterday two million people came to the streets… it shows Hong Kong people realise this is a long term battle.”
As in 2014, young people are at the forefront of the current demonstrations, which have seen an increase in police violence since Wednesday, and reportedly spiralled into the worst political violence since the handover from British to Chinese rule in 1997.
Though back to their regularly scheduled programming now, AV01’s site still reads: “If you are a Hong Kong police officer, relative, or supporter, please leave this site.” Among police brutality, and government failure, it’s encouraging to see independent outlets doing their part for democracy.