Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Hong Kong Protesters Keep Up Pressure, Despite Extradition Bill Withdrawal

William Gallo

   Hong Kong's embattled chief executive Carrie Lam may hope the
   withdrawal of a hated extradition bill will help the semi-autonomous
   Chinese city move forward from three months of major protests.

   But if the initial reaction from activists, scholars and other Hong
   Kong residents is any indication, the protests may not go away any time
   soon, with protester demands having long ago expanded to include
   broader democratic reforms.

   Lam on Wednesday announced the formal withdrawal of the extradition
   bill, a move she said was intended to "fully allay public concerns"
   after having earlier only suspended the proposal. But while the
   withdrawal essentially amounts to an admission that the extradition
   bill was a mistake, it seems few in Hong Kong see the move as a major
   concession.

   "I haven't heard anyone say they will stop protesting because of the
   withdrawal," said Wilson Leung, who helped found the Hong Kong-based
   Progressive Lawyers Group. "Because a lot of the anger is now over
   police brutality and overreach."

.