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Hong Kong Legislature Postpones Debate Over Controversial Extradition Bill

   Police in Hong Kong fired tear gas as they clashed Wednesday with
   protesters who had gathered outside government headquarters to
   demonstrate in opposition to an extradition bill.

   Officers wearing helmets and carrying shields lined up on streets and
   from time to time moved to push back protesters, some of whom
   overturned barricades and threw objects at police.

   Earlier in the day, the government announced the legislature would
   postpone a planned session Wednesday where lawmakers were scheduled to
   debate the controversial extradition measure.The bill would make it
   easier for authorities to extradite people to countries where it lacks
   a long-term agreement, such as mainland China. Hundreds of businesses
   had already announced their intention to close their doors to allow
   employees to attend a planned protest.

   A statement issued by the Legislative Council said Wednesday's session
   would be changed to a later date.

   Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam is backing the legislation,
   defying a massive protest Sunday attended by hundreds of thousands of
   citizens. The prospect of extradition to China in particular, which has
   a substantially different legal system, has alarmed a wide cross
   section of Hong Kong -- from international business groups to legal
   societies and pro-democracy parties.

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