Fears Hong Kong protests could turn violent amid calls to 'escalate action'

Hong Kong is bracing for fresh rallies on Friday, which many fear could turn violent, as protesters gave city authorities until Thursday to meet their demands on the retraction of the city’s controversial extradition bill.

Anonymous messages have circulated on social media and messaging services calling for people to gather outside the government headquarters in the Admiralty business district to “escalate their actions” if the Hong Kong government fails to meet their demands by 5pm on Thursday. It called on people to strike, close shops and stay off school on Friday. On one popular chat platform alone, the message received nearly 89,000 “likes”. A user called this “Hong Kong’s last battle”.

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The messages started on Tuesday evening, after a press conference by the city’s leader, Carrie Lam, in which she offered a “sincere” apology but no more concessions.

Many in Hong Kong are angry that Lam has failed to address their requests. Protesters are demanding she fully withdraw the extradition law and investigate police brutality during the demonstrations, in which riot officers used rubber bullets and tear gas, injuring dozens. They also want her to release those arrested, refrain from calling last week’s protest a riot, and resign.

On Saturday, after two large protests in one week, Lam suspended the controversial extradition bill, which many fear could see fugitives but also government critics extradited to mainland China for non-political charges. But many remain dissatisfied that she stopped short of retracting the bill and offered only an apology on Tuesday.

Another anonymous statement calls more more radical actions. The message, titled “an apology statement to Hong Kong citizens from (a group of) fighters” posted Tuesday evening calls on people who wish to join the protests to be equipped with protective gear such as face masks, umbrellas and goggles and come with a “firm heart, cool head and to act accordingly as the situation emerges.” It also warned people who did not plan to join the protests to stay away from Admiralty on Thursday and Friday.

“Sorry, Hong Kong citizens,” it said. “Over the past two weeks, there have been two protests participated by more than one million people, there have also been many peaceful gatherings and one martyr has even protested with his death, but our five requests have still not been met. People will resist when they are pressured by the authorities, therefore we cannot rule out intensifying our fight.”

Meanwhile, a group of university student union representatives urged people to gather outside the government headquarters on Friday morning to take part in peaceful, non-cooperation protests if the government fails to respond by Thursday afternoon. They declined to tell reporters what actions they would take. When asked whether they supported the individuals who threatened to take radical action, they say they respected and understood them.