Hong Kong leader to announce formal withdrawal of extradition bill (scmp.com)

Article summary

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam has announced the formal withdrawal of the extradition bill, a key demand of protesters. The move is seen as a concession to the protesters, who have been demonstrating for 13 weeks. Lam will also set up an investigative platform to look into the causes of the social unrest. The withdrawal of the bill is a technical procedure to streamline the legislative agenda.

Main themes

• Hong Kong protests
• Extradition bill
• Non-violent vs violent protest
• Government response
• Beijing's influence

What commenters say

• Non-violent protests are more successful in bringing about change than violent ones, as evidenced by various studies and historical examples.
• Violence is sometimes necessary to achieve significant change, especially when faced with oppressive regimes or systems.
• The effectiveness of non-violent or violent protest depends on the specific context and parameters of the situation.
• The use of violence can alienate potential supporters and undermine the legitimacy of a protest movement.
• Historical examples, such as the American Revolution, demonstrate the role of violence in achieving significant social and political change.
• The distinction between non-violent and violent protest is not always clear-cut, and different perspectives on the same issue can lead to differing conclusions.
• The role of fear and the response to violence are crucial factors in determining the outcome of protests and social movements.
• The relationship between power and violence is complex, with some arguing that power ultimately comes from the ability to wield violence, while others see non-violent means as more effective in achieving lasting change.