Govt Stays Mum As Protesters' Deadline Passes

A deadline set by anti-extradition law protesters has passed without any response from the Carrie Lam administration, setting the stage for another possible confrontation over the now-suspended legislation.

The protesters, who were backed by students, political parties and rights organisations, had set a 5pm deadline on Thursday for a response to their four demands of the withdrawal of the bill, an inquiry into the police action on June 12, the reversal of the description that the protest was a 'riot' and the release without charge of all those arrested.

There was no immediate reaction from opposition parties, the Civil Human Rights Front or the Federation of Student Unions, all of whom had said they would join protesters to surround the government's headquarters.

A group of protesters who were outside Legco said they more or less expected this from the government as the deadline passed.

“I don’t have any hope for the government,” said a disappointed secondary school student named Victoria.

She said she will support the action on Friday by providing support to other students who join the protest, expected to start at 7am. Some of the younger students said they will stay away from the frontline as they fear violence again this time.

Groups of protesters outside the CE's office also expressed disappointment.

Some adults at the site said they were planning to either stay there or join the protesters on Friday morning in solidarity.

Eric Cheung, who said he is a member of a group called Parents United Association, said the deadline was reasonable and Lam should have responded positively.

He said they plan to help the protesters on Friday with supplies and will also record the goings on to make sure there are no unfair incidents.