HONG KONG — Hundreds of thousands of people filled the sweltering streets of Hong Kong on Sunday in an immense protest against fraying freedoms that culminated after midnight with the police firing pepper spray and striking participants with batons. Riot police officers with helmets, batons and shields moved in to try to remove the protesters. Police estimated there were 240,000 protesters at the peak of the protest, but organizers, giving a figure topping 1 million, called it the biggest rally since 1989. The organizers of Sunday’s march said they hoped the numbers would show the breadth of disagreement with the extradition plan, which has stirred worries that people in Hong Kong, including foreign visitors, would be sent to face trial in Communist Party-controlled courts in mainland China. “I think this law will take away our freedoms if it is implemented,” said Peter Lam, a 16-year-old high school student.

Source: National Post June 09, 2019 19:24 UTC