First Extradition Marchers End, Many Yet To Start

Thousands of people were still waiting in and around Victoria Park to join the march against the government's extradition bill hours after it started, even as the first batch to set off arrived at the Legislative Council.

The first group left Victoria Park shortly before 2.30 pm - more than half an hour ahead of schedule - to ease the congestion from the huge number of people gathered there.

Media tycoon Jimmy Lai and singer Denise Ho - both active in the pro-democracy movement - were among those leading the rally. Joining them at the front of the rally were current and former lawmakers. They started arriving at Legco shortly before 4 pm.

Others on hand included members of NGOs, media and student organisations, as well as activists from other bodies.

The government insists the inability to hand over a Hong Kong suspect to Taiwan in connection with the murder of a local woman on the island last year revealed a legal loophole, prompting the law charge.

But critics say Beijing could use the new law to target dissidents and other activists. They've also raised concerns about the mainland legal system.

In 2003, a similar demonstration saw half a million march to voice opposition to Article 23 national security legislation. The government was forced to back down over the matter, which also led to the resignation of the Chief Executive Tung Chee-wha.

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