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Hong Kong Leader Offers Apology to Protesters

Erin Hale

   HONG KONG - Hong Kong's pro-Beijing leader Carrie Lam offered an
   apology Tuesday for the political crisis and unrest sparked by a
   proposed law that would allow extraditions to mainland China. But she
   did not give in to protester's demands that she leave office over her
   handling of the controversial bill.

   Lam told reporters she would not bring the measure up again until the
   government can resolve divisions, but pledged to stay and finish the
   remainder of her term.

   Opposition to the bill has driven repeated mass protests in Hong Kong
   this month. Organizers said two million people turned out Sunday.

   While the bill would allow for Hong Kong to extradite to a number of
   jurisdictions on a case by case basis where it does not have a long
   term agreement, the prospect of extradition to China in particular has
   alarmed a wide cross-section of Hong Kong society.

   Many protesters and pro-democracy legislators call it an "evil bill" or
   "evil law," which they see as an infringement on Hong Kong's autonomy,
   which was promised to the former British colony until 2047.

   Meanwhile the United States voiced new support Monday for the
   protesters.

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