Hong Kong’s Chief Executive Carrie Lam has announced that she will formally withdraw the controversial extradition bill that sparked massive protests and political unrest in Hong Kong.
However, the news has been met with more skepticism than hope, according to South China Morning Post.
For nearly three months, protestors and Hong Kong police have clashed on the streets in regards to a controversial bill that would allow extradition to mainland China.
On Wednesday, Lam announced that the government will fully withdraw the bill in a minute-long video.
Many protestors regarded the bill reversal as “too little too late,” and that only one of five demands are being met.
The withdrawal of the #extraditionbill in #HongKong is too little, too late. >1000 arrested, 8 killed themselves:
Mr Leung, aged 35, died Jun 15
Ms Lo, 21, 30/6
Ms Wu, 29, 30/6
Ms Mak, 28, 3/7
Mr Mui, 32, 5/7
Mr Fan, 26, 22/7
Mr Kwok, 25, 27/8
Mr Kei, 16 (!), 2/9Never forget.
— Voice of Hongkongers: Civilian’s Justice (@hkcivil_justice) September 4, 2019
Far from enough! pic.twitter.com/zuPlxb0TO6
— Priscilla Chiu (@PriscillaChiu5) September 4, 2019
The first demand was the complete withdrawal of the extradition bill. The remaining four are to launch an investigation of alleged police brutality, retract classification of protestors as “rioters,” amnesty of arrested protestors and implementation of universal suffrage.
“After more than two months of social unrest, it is obvious to many that this discontentment extends far beyond the bill,” Lam said, acknowledging the other four demands.
“Irrespective of our grievances or the depth of discontentment towards the Government, we cannot agree or accept that violence is a solution to our problems… As such, the Government has to strictly enforce the law against all violent and illegal acts,” Lam continued.
“Let’s replace conflicts with conversations, and lets look for solutions,” she concluded.
Many have openly voiced their skepticism about Lam’s sincerity and reiterated that the four other demands must be met.
2. The intensified police brutality in the previous weeks have left an irreversible scar to the entire HK society. And therefore, at this very moment, when Carrie Lam announced withdrawal, people would not believe it is a ‘sincere’ move.
— Joshua Wong 黃之鋒 (@joshuawongcf) September 4, 2019
The 7th person. She died. She killed herself because the Hong Kong she knows is gone.
The withdrawal of the bill is not enough. Never enough.#StandwithHK #antiELAB #FightForFreedom pic.twitter.com/iVzGV3eIfP— Frances Hui (@hui_wingting) September 4, 2019
#CarrieLam has lied way too many times abt withdrawing.
Jun15— 暫緩 “Suspend”
NOT withdrawal; simply “to pause”Jul9— 壽終正寢 “The bill is dead”
NOT withdrawal; “dead” is not legislative termSep4— 動議撒回
NOT withdrawal; motion to propose withdrawal#AntiELAB #HongKong pic.twitter.com/FPgOrqpW4p— #AntiELAB Fight for Hong Kong (@Fight4HongKong) September 4, 2019
Carrie’s response comes too late and too little, failing to address our 5 demands. Protests of the past three months have left irreversible scar on #HongKong, especially the esculating #PoliceBrutality. #Democracy, right here and right now, is the only way out.
Photo: Next Plus pic.twitter.com/uJz7nqVla1
— Demosistō 香港眾志 (@demosisto) September 4, 2019
“It is not a victory at all. It’s too late and too little…”
“We still plan our fight, especially for the cause of free elections. We demand to elect our own govt. That is why our protest will continue to at least until Oct 1, China’s National Day.”
– @joshuawongcf #HongKong https://t.co/peWWRhmvdg
— Kristie Lu Stout✌🏽 (@klustout) September 4, 2019
#FakeWithdraw #StandwithHK pic.twitter.com/ZQwr27ymB3
— Kylekai (@Kylekai15) September 4, 2019
Dear friends,
The withdrawal of the bill is NOT A VICTORY, please dont take this as a victory.
Hong Kong people will keep fighting for freedom and keep protesting.
Please stay with Hong Kong!#StandWithHongKong #SOSHK #HongKongProtest— 100D 🇭🇰 (@jack_100d) September 4, 2019
TOO LATE. Chief Executive Carrie Lam just announced she’ll withdraw the extradition bill. But it’s too little, too late.
In these 3 months: 8 lives lost, 2 terrorist attack, more than thousand arrest, and uncountable injuries made by the police. #HongKongProtest #antiELAB pic.twitter.com/gmx4YngurB— Charlotte (@saladstweeting) September 4, 2019
Hong Kong protestors are far from celebrating. However, others outside of Hong Kong have seen it as a victory and inspiration.
The Hong Kong protestors won.
The British parliament stood up to authoritarianism.
We cannot allow our democracy to be overthrown by a corrupt, bigoted tyrant. STAND UP AMERICA 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
— Amy Siskind 🏳️🌈 (@Amy_Siskind) September 4, 2019
In Hong Kong, with threats to their freedom, protestors kept marching, kept speaking out until the government was forced to act.
An inspiration to all of us who still believe in the power of the people to bring about change. We continue to stand with the people of Hong Kong. https://t.co/Fsjo3zIuN8
— Beto O’Rourke (@BetoORourke) September 4, 2019
IT’S OVER: “Hong Kong’s embattled chief executive formally withdrew the controversial extradition bill that sparked months of tense protests that played out on an international stage…” https://t.co/FzWo5WdEWe
— Sean Hannity (@seanhannity) September 4, 2019
Huge congratulations to the brave protestors in Hong Kong and to @HongKongFP as China withdraws the hated extradition bill.
The fight goes on. But for now – the people have prevailed.
How I wish we all fought as hard for freedom. #HongKongers
— Katie Hopkins (@KTHopkins) September 4, 2019
Featured Image via Getty
