Viewfinder: Protesters Demand That Hong Kong's Leader Step Down

Author:: Pacific Standard Staff
Publish date:: Jun 18, 2019

Protesters hold placards and shout slogans as they occupy a street demanding that Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam step down, after a rally against the now-suspended extradition bill outside of the chief executive office on June 17th, 2019, in Hong Kong, China. The controversial bill would allow Hong Kong citizens suspected of crimes to be extradited to mainland China. — Protesters hold placards and shout slogans as they occupy a street demanding that Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam step down, after a rally against the now-suspended extradition bill outside of the chief executive office on June 17th, 2019, in Hong Kong, China. The controversial bill would allow Hong Kong citizens suspected of crimes to be extradited to mainland China.
(Photo: Anthony Kwan/Getty Images)

Viewfinder is Pacific Standard's daily photo feature, showcasing one image from the news.

Protesters in Hong Kong march against the proposed extradition law, which would allow the territory to transfer crime suspects to mainland China for trial there, on April 28th, 2019.

Tens of thousands marched against the territory's proposed extradition law, which would allow the transfer of crime suspects to mainland China for trial.

Social workers gather outside the legislative council building to participate in an anti-government march in Hong Kong on July 21st, 2019, in Hong Kong.

Here's what you need to know about the development of the conflict in Hong Kong and the protesters' motivations.

Protesters hold placards and shout slogans during a rally against the extradition law proposal on June 9, 2019, in Hong Kong.

The now-suspended legislation to allow China to extradite Hong Kong citizens to the mainland has revealed concerns over the growing creep of Chinese government influence.

People hold candles as they take part in a candlelight vigil at Victoria Park on June 4th, 2019, in Hong Kong, China. As many as 180,000 people were expected to attend a candlelight vigil in Hong Kong on Tuesday during the 30th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre. Commemorations took place in cities around the world to remember those who died when Chinese troops cracked down on pro-democracy protesters. Thirty years ago, the People's Liberation Army opened fire on protesters in Beijing after hundreds of thousands of students and workers gathered in Tiananmen Square for weeks to call for greater political freedom. No one knows for sure how many people were killed, as China continues to censor any coverage or discussion of the event.

People hold candles as they take part in a candlelight vigil at Victoria Park on June 4th, 2019, in Hong Kong, China.

People bow to pay their respects after leaving sunflowers on a stage, as they attend a memorial event during heavy rainfall in Hong Kong on July 11th, 2019.

The Week in Photos

People gathered under heavy rain on Thursday to take part in a public memorial for a man who fell to his death while protesting an extradition bill.

People walk through a flooded shopping mall in the Heng Fa Chuen district during Typhoon Mangkhut in Hong Kong, China, on September 16th, 2018.

People walk through a flooded shopping mall in the Heng Fa Chuen district during Super Typhoon Mangkhut in Hong Kong, China, on September 16th, 2018.