- Title: Protests in Hong Kong likely to continue despite security law, residents say
- Date: 2nd July 2020
- Summary: HONG KONG, CHINA (JULY 2, 2020) (REUTERS) PEDESTRIANS WALKING IN HONG KONG'S WAN CHAI DISTRICT PEOPLE RESTING ON SIDEWALK STORE SIGNS (SOUNDBITE) (Cantonese) 33-YEAR-OLD HONG KONG RESIDENT WHO WORKS IN THE FOOD AND BEVERAGE TRADE, JOHN LEE, SAYING: "In Hong Kong, (there is) this deeply rooted passion for democracy, and culture is something that is really hard to change. So I am sure there will be a group of people who will keep fighting (for political reform)." PEOPLE WALKING STORE SIGNS VARIOUS OF TRAFFIC MOVING AND PEOPLE WALKING (SOUNDBITE) (Cantonese) 45-YEAR-OLD HONG KONG RESIDENT WHO SAYS HE WORKS AS A REPAIRMAN, LAM WONG, SAYING: "The people of Hong Kong will keep loving Hong Kong, fighting for their freedom. And so this is the reason (protests will continue) - that is why there will still be people seeking freedom." PEOPLE WALKING STORE SIGNS
- Embargoed: 16th July 2020 08:19
- Keywords: China Hong Kong Human rights Legislation National security law Protests Riots
- Location: HONG KONG, CHINA
- City: HONG KONG, CHINA
- Country: Hong Kong
- Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,Civil Unrest
- Reuters ID: LVA001CL47I9Z
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Hong Kong residents said on Thursday (July 2) that protests are likely to continue despite a new national security law imposed on the financial hub.
"In Hong Kong there is this deeply rooted passion for democracy," said 33-year-old resident John Lee. "Culture is something that is really hard to change."
Hong Kong police fired water cannon and tear gas and arrested more than 300 people on Wednesday (July 1) as protesters took to the streets in defiance of the sweeping legislation introduced by China to snuff out dissent.
The law punishes crimes of secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces with up to life in prison. It will also see mainland security agencies in Hong Kong for the first time and allows extradition to the mainland for trial in courts controlled by the Communist Party.
The annual demonstration on the anniversary of the handover of Hong Kong to China had been banned by police, but large numbers of residents still took to the streets.
"The people of Hong Kong will keep loving Hong Kong," said another resident, who gave his name as Lam Wong. "That is why there will still be people seeking freedom."
Beijing unveiled the details of the much-anticipated law late on Tuesday (June 30) after weeks of uncertainty, pushing China's freest city on to a more authoritarian path.
(Production: Aleksander Solum) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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