In Pictures

Hong Kong protests China-backed extradition law

Sporadic violence broke out at Sunday’s massive rally but the march was mostly peaceful.

Protesters march along a downtown street against the proposed amendments to an extradition law in Hong Kong Sunday, June 9, 2019. A sea of protesters is marching through central Hong Kong in a major — Protesters march through central Hong Kong in a major demonstration against government-sponsored legislation that would allow people to be extradited to mainland China to face charges. [Vincent Yu/AP Photo]

Hundreds of thousands of people marched through Hong Kong in a bid to block a proposed extradition bill that would allow suspects to be sent to mainland China to face trial.

Police estimated the crowd at 240,000, but organisers said more than one million took part in what appeared to be the biggest demonstration since 2003 protests against a proposed national security law.

Sporadic violence broke out on Sunday but the march was mostly peaceful.

Protesters say the proposed law before Hong Kong’s semi-democratic Legislative Council would damage the city’s rule of law and put many at risk of extradition to China for politically motivated reasons.

Opposition to the planned bill has united a broad section of the community, from usually pro-establishment business people and lawyers to students, pro-democracy figures and religious groups.

Foreign governments have also expressed concern, warning of the effect on Hong Kong’s reputation as an international financial hub, and noting foreigners wanted in China risk getting ensnared in Hong Kong.

Protesters hold placards as they stage protest against the extradition law in Hong Kong, Sunday, June 9, 2019. The extradition law has aroused concerns that this legislation would undermine the city''s — Protesters say the proposed changes will damage the city's rule of law and put many at risk of extradition to China for political reasons. [Vincent Yu/AP Photo]

Protesters march during a demonstration to protest against a controversial extradition law proposed by Hong Kong''s pro-Beijing government to ease extraditions to China, in Los Angeles on June 9, 2019. — US and European officials have issued formal warnings, matching international business and human rights lobbies that fear the changes would dent Hong Kong's legal system. [Ringo Chiu/AFP]

Police gather at a rally against a controversial extradition law proposal in Hong Kong on early June 10, 2019. - Hong Kong witnessed its largest street protest in at least 15 years on June 9 as crowds — Several hundred riot police armed with batons, shields, tear gas launchers and pepper spray sealed off the Legislative Council. [Philip Fong/AFP]

A police officer swings his baton as he restrains a protester during the clear up after the clash outside the Legislative Council in Hong Kong after a rally against a controversial extradition law pro — A police officer swings his baton at a protester outside the Legislative Council in Hong Kong. [Philip Fong/AFP]

Police charge protesters after a rally against a controversial extradition law proposal in Hong Kong on June 10, 2019. - Hong Kong witnessed its largest street protest in at least 15 years on June 9 a — The protest descended into violence after demonstrators tried to force their way into the semi-autonomous Chinese territory's parliament. [Isaac Lawrence/AFP]

Hong Kong police officers drag away a protester during a rally against proposed amendments to the extradition law at the Legislative Council in Hong Kong during the early hours of Monday, June 10, 201 — Amnesty International said the amended extradition law was a threat to human rights. [Vincent Yu/AP Photo]

Riot police detains demonstrators during a protest to demand authorities scrap a proposed extradition bill with China, in Hong Kong, China June 10, 2019. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu - — Police estimated the crowd at 240,000, but organisers said more than one million took part in the protests. [Tyrone Siu/Reuters]

Demonstrators hold yellow umbrellas, the symbol of the Occupy Central movement, during a protest to demand authorities scrap a proposed extradition bill with China, in Hong Kong, China June 9, 2019. R — Organiser Civil Human Rights Front claimed it was the biggest rally in three decades. [Thomas Peter/Reuters]