The News
Wednesday 24 of April 2024

Traffic flowing in heart of Hong Kong as rain curbs protests


AP Photo,Protesters help a fallen person after clashing with riot police during a massive demonstration outside the Legislative Council in Hong Kong, Wednesday, June 12, 2019. Hong Kong police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters who had massed outside government headquarters Wednesday in opposition to a proposed extradition bill that has become a lightning rod for concerns over greater Chinese control and erosion of civil liberties in the territory. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
AP Photo,Protesters help a fallen person after clashing with riot police during a massive demonstration outside the Legislative Council in Hong Kong, Wednesday, June 12, 2019. Hong Kong police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters who had massed outside government headquarters Wednesday in opposition to a proposed extradition bill that has become a lightning rod for concerns over greater Chinese control and erosion of civil liberties in the territory. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

HONG KONG (AP) — Traffic has been restored in the heart of Hong Kong a day after clashes between police and protesters who oppose legislation that would allow criminal suspects to be sent to mainland China for trial.

Heavy rain Thursday morning kept fresh protests from following those Wednesday by thousands of activists who shut down government headquarters and the Legislative Council on the day it was to debate the extradition bill. More than 70 people were hurt.

Police fired tear gas, pepper spray and rubber bullets after well-organized protesters breached their cordon, forcing the assembly to postpone the debate.

Protesters said they were seeking to block the passage of the legislation they see as part of Beijing’s moves to tighten its grip over the former British colony.