Thousands of demonstrators poured into the streets surrounding Hong Kong’s legislature Wednesday morning, choking major thoroughfares with barricades and human chains, and prompting the government to abruptly postpone a planned debate over a divisive extradition law.
As the turnout swelled to the tens of thousands, the head of the Legislative Council put off the debate to an “unspecified later time,” according to an official statement. However, protesters appear to be digging in at the scene, watched by a massive police presence. Demonstrators have donned goggles and masks to protect themselves from police pepper spray. According local media reports, some protesters broke up pavement and stockpiled bricks in anticipation of battles with law enforcement.
The city has boiled over into massive protests in recent days as the government attempts to fast-track controversial legislation that would, for the first time, allow fugitives to be sent to mainland China. The bill has ignited fears ..