HONG KONG - Opponents of a proposed extradition law plan a protest Monday as Hong Kong marks the 22nd anniversary of the former British colony’s handover to China, and police said they were taking steps to prevent the possible disruption of a flag-raising ceremony. Hundreds of thousands of people have filled Hong Kong streets to protest the measure seen as eroding the territory’s autonomy from Beijing. Hong Kong was promised a “high degree of autonomy” when colonial rule ended in 1997, but residents complain that is being eroded. Opponents want the extradition legislation withdrawn and for Hong Kong’s chief executive, Carrie Lam, to step down, one of the protest organizers, Bonnie Leung of the group Civil Human Rights Front, said Saturday. Leung said organizers obtained a police permit for the protest.

Source: thestar June 29, 2019 12:47 UTC