the incredible story of the inspiring Australian women who rescued hundreds of orphans at the end of the Vietnam War.refugee children -- vietnam -- history -- 20th century, vietnam war, 1961-1975 -- children, volunteer workers in social service -- australia -- biography

Up to a thousand Australian women were in wartime Vietnam during the sixties and early seventies - as entertainers, army and civilian nurses, secretaries, consular staff and more. They were feted and pampered, patronised and harrassed, and a few were assaulted. 1961-1975 - women - australia, vietnam war, nurses, entertainers, journalists, consular staff, volunteer workers

Moving, enlightening and sometimes shocking, Minefields and Miniskirts broke new ground when first published in 1993. It tells the gripping and extraordinary real-life stories of thirty-five women who went to Vietnam as nurses, journalists, entertainers, volunteers and consular staff, along with those of women who waited at home for their shatters husbands, fathers, brothers and sons to return. 1961-1975 - women - australia, vietnam war, 1961-1975- women - interviews, nurses, journalists, entertainers, volunteer workers, consular staff

Stencil typed, Duplicated forms on 1/2 quarto size paper to act as BTPS Ltd. Volunteer Workers Indemnity. See also Reg. Item 933.1 for earlier version of this form - un-incorporated Society.Niltrams, tramways, btps, volunteers, indemnity

Newspaper clipping from The Courier, 10/11/1971 about a letter from the BTPS placed before the Council meeting on the previous Monday night, concerning membership, volunteer workers, proposed expenditure on buildings. The Mayor, Cr. Chisholm said still many loose ends, and Cr Mills questioned the accuracy of the figures.Hand stamped in black ink "10 Nov. 1971" on bottom edge.trams, tramways, btps, museum establishment, city of ballaarat, city council

Set of five "Certificates of Appreciation" for volunteers workers. Issued by the State Government in the International Year of Volunteers 2001. Original printed with signatures of Steve Bracks (Premier) and Christine Campbell - Minister for Community Services. .1 - Paul Mong .2 - Dave O'Neil .3 - Mark McKay .4 - Phillip Bertram .5 - Andrew Mitchelltramways, trams, btm, volunteers

Has a strong association with Phillip Work who was one of our volunteers.Printed colour folded A4 sheet for the funeral service of "Philip Edward Work", "Tex", November 2009. Phillip died 30/10/2009 and was one of the Museum's volunteer workers. Phillip is holding a Murray Cod. Included within the programme is a cutting from the Ballarat Courier of death notices. Dated 4/11/2009.trams, tramways, btm, volunteers, funeral

Digital Image of Ken Wilson's (a BTM Volunteer worker) father, George Wilson boarding a Geelong tram on his first day of school late 1920's. The family lived in Corio St, near the North Terminus. Three school children and possibly a Conductor boarding a tram with the driver in rear cab. Tram has destination of Belmont. trams, tramways, geelong, schools, belmont, north

Stencil typed, Duplicated form on pink quarto size paper to act as BTPS Limited Volunteer Workers Indemnity. Has space for office use of the form. Was for use by people over 21 years of age. See also Reg. Item 1516 and 933.1 for other issues of this form. Has printing information "2-500-1974" on bottom of form, assume that printed in 1974.trams, tramways, btps, volunteers, indemnity

Stencil typed, Duplicated forms on quarto size paper to act as BTPS Volunteer Workers Indemnity. 933.1 - for people over 21 - 1p 933.2 - for people under 21 - 1p Two copies of each form. All have punched holes on left hand edge. Has name of un-incorporated organisation. See also Reg. Item 1516 for later version of this form - Incorporated Society.Niltrams, tramways, btps, volunteers, indemnity

Set of four Black and white photographs of some of the people, volunteer workers who were involved in the construction of the BTPS depot and trackwork - mid 1972 to 1973. .1 - Gavin Young in the mess room .2 - Richard Gilbert in the mess room .3 - Bill Kingsley, ?, ? Bounds and Gavin Young standing by an old tar heater being used as a heater in front of No. 1 road. .4 - Richard Gilbert, Andrew Hall, Bill Kingsley and Gavin Young - making up boxing for the cut off walls - early to mid 1973. See - 1972 - 1973 Annual Report which has a list of dates on page 3 of events at the depot.trams, tramways, depot fan, btps, construction, people and places, tram 14

A certificate from Community Services Victoria to the volunteers at the RVIB Burwood school. It reads "Awarded for all Volunteer Workers at R.V.I.B. Burwood in recognition of their highly valued contribution to community services in the Inner East Region." Signed by the Chair of the Inner East Regional Advisory Council, Mark Longmuir and Minister, Community Services Victoria, Kay Setches, dated 10th April 1992.1 A4 sized certificate of appreciationrvib burwood school, awards

This photograph depicts workers/volunteers participating in tree planting on the foreshore as part of National Tree Day. It is uncertain which beach is it.Colour photograph of a gropu of people on a beach foreshore with a building (presumably surf life saving club) in the background. In front of the group are a many freshly planted trees surrounded by ground steaks and green plastic sheeting.Handwritten in black ink: National Tree Day / 30 July 2000 / Bon Beach? / Edithvale?ocean, trees, environment, volunteers

Book containing 40 sets of forms for the recording of the issue of uniforms to the volunteer workers of the Ballarat Tramway Preservation Society. Consisting of 40 sets of original (retained in book) on white paper and duplicate (printed using a sheet of carbon paper) printed on heavy manilla colour paper, with the same details as the top copy and on the back requesting workers keep the uniform clean, neat and spruce to give a good impression of the Society. Contained with light green crocodile skin printed cardboard covers, stapled on the left hand side and the left hand edge of the book covered with a olive cloth glued on the book. The original is fast, the duplicate perforated down left, the numbers 0001 - 0026 have original copies only, the duplicate have been distributed carbon paper inserted between form number 0027 Printed by Milldean press during late 1975 and used from 1/12/1975 to 7/11/1979 - 26 forms issued. Retained at depot until late 2001, when collected for the archives.trams, tramways, uniforms, btps, forms

This photograph depicts workers/volunteers who planted trees on foreshore at Bonbeach & Carrum as part of National Tree Day. Councillor Topsy Petchey, OAM, is on the right.Colour photograph of a group people sitting on a low stone wall. The group is a mixture of ages, including very young children and the ocean is visible in the background. The group is a volunteer group who planted trees on the foreshore and Bonbeach and Carrum for National Tree Day. Councillor Topsy Petchey on right. Handwritten on reverse in black ink: National Tree Day / G Pet.bonbeach, carrum, ocean, trees, environment, volunteers, councillors

The Federation Markers project, jointly funded by the Commonwealth Government and Stonnington Council, was intended to commemorate the centenary of Federation by means of a series of plaques to be erected around the municipality. Following public consultation, 50 historically significant themes were identified On the 7th April 1928 this playing field was inaugurated as the world's first permanent sports ground for blind cricketers when the first ball was bowled at a competition between the Victorian Blind Cricket Association and interstate teams. Mr William Paterson, a volunteer worker and advocate for blind people for over 60 years, was instrumental in acquiring and developing this sports ground and clubhouse on behalf of the Association for the Advancement of the Blind (now called Vision Australia Foundation). - text copied and edited from Stonnington History Centre record, accessed 26/5/2022.1 plastic sign with images and wordingvictorian blind cricket association, association for the blind, william paterson

A photograph of a group of council workers and volunteers preparing to plant trees at Wingrove Park, Eltham South October 1986.1 colour photograph.peter graham, eltham, wingrove park eltham south

Articles in annual report include: branch committees, President's report, finance report, balance sheet, welfare, hospital homes, day centres, auxiliaries, volunteer service group, senior staff, life governors, formal establishment of the Low Vision Clinic which had been begun with discussions with Professor Gerard Crook in 1970 and supported for a year by the Hecht Trust, John Wilson accompanied Hugh Jeffrey, Australia's delegate on the Executive Committee for the Welfare of the Blind and IFB, businessman John Wicking joined the committee, plans for the future development of the George Vowell Centre are being formulated, Derek Nimmo entertained at multiple Auxiliary functions, the Toorak Auxiliary closed but two new ones at Kyneton and Narcoonah (Hampton), were formed, introduction of training course for volunteer workers and Mrs H.M. Lightfoot, who organised drivers for home visitor Elsie Henderson, has stepped down after fourteen years of service.1 volume of text and photographsassociation for the blind, h.m. lightfoot, john wilson, hugh jeffrey, derek nimmo, iris barnier, annual reports

Jenny McGuirk has been a Bundoora resident since 1971 and a prominent community worker and volunteer in a number of different fields3 p. typescript, col. photographs; 3 photocopied photographs, and article from Heidelberg Leader 25/9/2018mcguirk family, jenny mcguirk, volunteering

Merle Hall Collection: Rosalind Park Creative Village Bendigo Project Pamphlet for Rosalind Park Lookout - two copies. One side of the pamphlet has a layout image of the five sections of the mosaic and the poppet head base. The sections are numbers 1 to 5 Section 1: A stylised representation of the main Bendigo Goldfield based on a geological plan (Publish in 1992). It shows the lines of reef, including the famous Hustlers, Garden Gully and New Chum. Section 2: A typical cross section of the Bendigo Goldfields Section 3: The mine layout shown in this design features part of the Garden Gully line of reef. Section 4: Shown here is the Iron Bark mine on the Sheepshead reef. It has an interesting pattern of drives, stopes and winzes. Section 5: In this section the artist uses gold as her inspiration. The larger mosaic shows quartz veins winding through the earth containing gold in its various forms. The smaller mosaic represents the atomic structure of gold. It shows the the nucleus, the six shells of the atom, their electrons and orbits. The other side of the pamphlet describes the background of the community arts project, the artist, and volunteer workers, also notes mentioning the Bendigo community history. It also lists the donors for funding and business's that supported the project, with special thanks to Eric Wilkinson - Geolpogical advoser, the students and staff from Camp Hill, St Killians and Violet Street primary schools. BRIT and La Trobe University, bendigo.

This cricket ball is made of cane wicker and was used in cricket games with visually impaired players by people who lived or were educated at the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind from the 1920's through till 1972. It is a circular shape made of plaited strips of woven natural cane and is lighter than a conventional cricket ball. The hollow center of the ball contains pieces of twisted metal pieces which rattle as the ball is moved to aid players in tracking the ball's movement. The stumps also had bells attached so fielders knew when the batsman was out. Blind cricket was invented in Melbourne in 1922 when two blind factory workers started playing a game using a tin can containing rocks. The game soon gained popularity and the Victorian Blind Cricketers' Association was formed. Mr William Paterson, a volunteer worker and advocate for blind people for over 60 years, was instrumental in acquiring and developing the sports ground and clubhouse in Glenferrie Road Kooyong, Victoria on behalf of the Association for the Advancement of the Blind (now called Vision Australia). In 1928 play began on the world's first sports ground for blind cricketers, in the first official blind cricket match. Blind cricket is now played internationally. This particular cricket ball was awarded to William Paterson Esq in 1928 in recognition of his support in establishing the world's first blind cricket ground in Kooyong. On the front of this ball is attached a small metal crest with an inscription: 'Presented to W.H. Paterson, Esq as a token of esteem for his interest in Blind cricket being the first ball bowled on the cricket ground for Blind Kooyong 7. 4.28'.1 wicker cricket ball with metal shield attached and metal bells in the hollow centre'Presented to W.H. Paterson, Esq / as a token of esteem for his/ interest in Blind cricket/ being the first ball bowled /on the cricket /ground for Blind /Kooyong / 7. 4.28'. recreation equipment, awards

Colour Print of a group of BTPS workers / trammies / volunteers dressed in SEC uniforms during the 1989 Begonia Festival standing along tram 26. Has the details of the people written on the rear on an adhesive label. Photo dated 13/3/1989. Photographer unknown. Left to Right: Bill Kingsley, Andrew Mitchell, Chris Jacobson, Clayton Giles, Richard Gilbert, Ian Hill, Dave O' Neil, Roy Sheedy.trams, tramways, btps, begonia festival, museum, personnel, volunteers, group photo

Carrie Lam, Hong Kong’s chief executive, had plenty of political support in the territory’s pro-Beijing legislature to pass a bill that would allow extraditions to mainland China. The legislators were set to begin discussing the bill in early June, and intended to vote on it just weeks later. A series of protests took place, and after a June 16 protest saw the largest turnout yet, Ms. Lam made a major concession: She postponed the bill, at least temporarily. It was an undeniable victory for the protesters — but it did little to quell the unrest. Since the bill could later be reintroduced, protesters felt they remained in danger. The police tactics to break up the demonstrations on June 12, including the use of more than 150 tear gas canisters to push protesters far away from the government office, created a new set of demands from the protesters. Now, instead of just calling for the withdrawal of the bill and Ms. Lam’s resignation, they said they wouldn’t be content unless there was an independent investigation of officers’ conduct. They also wanted the release of protesters arrested on June 12, and for the government to rescind its description of the demonstrations as a “riot,” a designation that carries legal significance. None of that has happened. Many analysts say Ms. Lam is unlikely to step down, nor would Beijing accept her resignation if she offered it. She has more wiggle room on the other demands, but has not indicated any willingness to budge. The Hong Kong Protests are a leaderless, digital movement.There is no single leader or group deciding on or steering the strategy, tactics and goals of the movement. Instead, protesters have used forums and messaging apps to decide next steps. Anyone can suggest a course of action, and others then vote on whether they support it. The most popular ideas rise to the top, and then people rally to make them happen. At its best, this structure has empowered many people to participate and have their voices heard. Protesters say it keeps them all safe by not allowing the government to target specific leaders. Their success in halting the extradition bill, which was shelved by the territory’s chief executive, speaks to the movement’s power. Despite the lack of a clear leader, protesters have shown extensive coordination at the demonstrations, having planned the specifics online beforehand. Supply stations are set up to distribute water, snacks, gloves, umbrellas and shields made of cardboard. Volunteer first aid workers wear brightly colored vests. People form assembly lines to pass supplies across long distances, with protesters communicating what they need through a series of predetermined hand signals. Anyone walking in dangerous areas without a helmet or a mask is quickly offered one. No individual can speak on behalf of the protesters, which makes negotiations difficult, if not impossible. (https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/02/world/asia/hong-kong-protest-explained.html, accessed 07/07/2019) Hong Kong’s amended extradition law would allow the extradition of suspects to mainland China for the first time. Supporters say the amendments are key to ensuring the city does not become a criminal refuge, but critics worry Beijing will use the law to extradite political opponents and others to China where their legal protections cannot be guaranteed. The government claims the push to change the law, which would also apply to Taiwan and Macau, stems from the killing last year of a Hong Kong woman while she was in Taiwan with her boyfriend. Authorities in Taiwan suspect the woman’s boyfriend, who remains in Hong Kong, but cannot try him because no extradition agreement is in place. Under the amended law, those accused of offences punishable by seven years or more in prison could be extradited. The new legislation would give Hong Kong’s leader, known as the chief executive, authority to approve extradition requests, after review by the courts. Hong Kong’s legislature, the legislative council, would not have any oversight over the extradition process. Many Hong Kongers fear the proposed extradition law will be used by authorities to target political enemies. They worry the new legislation spells the end of the “one country, two systems” policy, eroding the civil rights enjoyed by Hong Kong residents since the handover of sovereignty from the UK to China in 1997. Many attending the protests on Sunday said they could not trust China as it had often used non-political crimes to target government critics, and said they also feared Hong Kong officials would not be able to reject Beijing’s requests. Legal professionals have also expressed concern over the rights of those sent across the border to be tried. The conviction rate in Chinese courts is as high as 99%. Arbitrary detentions, torture and denial of legal representation of one’s choosing are also common. Many in the protests on Sunday 09 June 2019 said they felt overwhelmed by a sense of helplessness in the face of mainland China’s increasing political, economic and cultural influence in Hong Kong. Hong Kong’s top political leader is not elected by ordinary voters but by a 1,200-strong election committee accountable to Beijing. Half of its legislature are chosen through indirect electoral systems that favour pro-Beijing figures. Many Hong Kongers also cited the jailing of leaders and activists from the 2014 Occupy Central movement– a 79-day mass civil disobedience movement – as well as the disqualification of young localist lawmakers as signs of the erosion of civil freedoms. Resentment towards China has been intensified by soaring property prices – with increasing numbers of mainland Chinese buying properties in the city – as well as the government’s “patriotic education” drive, and the large numbers of mainland tourists who flock to Hong Kong. Many Hong Kongers are also concerned about China’s growing control over the city’s news media, as they increasingly self-censor and follow Beijing’s tacit orders. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/10/what-are-the-hong-kong-protests-about-explainerPhotograph of a street art poster taken on the streets of Hong Kong during the protests against legislation to allow Hong Kong suspects to be extradited to mainland Chinese carrie lam, hong kong protests, extraditions, poster art, posters

Carrie Lam, Hong Kong’s chief executive, had plenty of political support in the territory’s pro-Beijing legislature to pass a bill that would allow extraditions to mainland China. The legislators were set to begin discussing the bill in early June, and intended to vote on it just weeks later. A series of protests took place, and after a June 16 protest saw the largest turnout yet, Ms. Lam made a major concession: She postponed the bill, at least temporarily. It was an undeniable victory for the protesters — but it did little to quell the unrest. Since the bill could later be reintroduced, protesters felt they remained in danger. The police tactics to break up the demonstrations on June 12, including the use of more than 150 tear gas canisters to push protesters far away from the government office, created a new set of demands from the protesters. Now, instead of just calling for the withdrawal of the bill and Ms. Lam’s resignation, they said they wouldn’t be content unless there was an independent investigation of officers’ conduct. They also wanted the release of protesters arrested on June 12, and for the government to rescind its description of the demonstrations as a “riot,” a designation that carries legal significance. None of that has happened. Many analysts say Ms. Lam is unlikely to step down, nor would Beijing accept her resignation if she offered it. She has more wiggle room on the other demands, but has not indicated any willingness to budge. The Hong Kong Protests are a leaderless, digital movement.There is no single leader or group deciding on or steering the strategy, tactics and goals of the movement. Instead, protesters have used forums and messaging apps to decide next steps. Anyone can suggest a course of action, and others then vote on whether they support it. The most popular ideas rise to the top, and then people rally to make them happen. At its best, this structure has empowered many people to participate and have their voices heard. Protesters say it keeps them all safe by not allowing the government to target specific leaders. Their success in halting the extradition bill, which was shelved by the territory’s chief executive, speaks to the movement’s power. Despite the lack of a clear leader, protesters have shown extensive coordination at the demonstrations, having planned the specifics online beforehand. Supply stations are set up to distribute water, snacks, gloves, umbrellas and shields made of cardboard. Volunteer first aid workers wear brightly colored vests. People form assembly lines to pass supplies across long distances, with protesters communicating what they need through a series of predetermined hand signals. Anyone walking in dangerous areas without a helmet or a mask is quickly offered one. No individual can speak on behalf of the protesters, which makes negotiations difficult, if not impossible. (https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/02/world/asia/hong-kong-protest-explained.html, accessed 07/07/2019) Hong Kong’s amended extradition law would allow the extradition of suspects to mainland China for the first time. Supporters say the amendments are key to ensuring the city does not become a criminal refuge, but critics worry Beijing will use the law to extradite political opponents and others to China where their legal protections cannot be guaranteed. The government claims the push to change the law, which would also apply to Taiwan and Macau, stems from the killing last year of a Hong Kong woman while she was in Taiwan with her boyfriend. Authorities in Taiwan suspect the woman’s boyfriend, who remains in Hong Kong, but cannot try him because no extradition agreement is in place. Under the amended law, those accused of offences punishable by seven years or more in prison could be extradited. The new legislation would give Hong Kong’s leader, known as the chief executive, authority to approve extradition requests, after review by the courts. Hong Kong’s legislature, the legislative council, would not have any oversight over the extradition process. Many Hong Kongers fear the proposed extradition law will be used by authorities to target political enemies. They worry the new legislation spells the end of the “one country, two systems” policy, eroding the civil rights enjoyed by Hong Kong residents since the handover of sovereignty from the UK to China in 1997. Many attending the protests on Sunday said they could not trust China as it had often used non-political crimes to target government critics, and said they also feared Hong Kong officials would not be able to reject Beijing’s requests. Legal professionals have also expressed concern over the rights of those sent across the border to be tried. The conviction rate in Chinese courts is as high as 99%. Arbitrary detentions, torture and denial of legal representation of one’s choosing are also common. Many in the protests on Sunday 09 June 2019 said they felt overwhelmed by a sense of helplessness in the face of mainland China’s increasing political, economic and cultural influence in Hong Kong. Hong Kong’s top political leader is not elected by ordinary voters but by a 1,200-strong election committee accountable to Beijing. Half of its legislature are chosen through indirect electoral systems that favour pro-Beijing figures. Many Hong Kongers also cited the jailing of leaders and activists from the 2014 Occupy Central movement– a 79-day mass civil disobedience movement – as well as the disqualification of young localist lawmakers as signs of the erosion of civil freedoms. Resentment towards China has been intensified by soaring property prices – with increasing numbers of mainland Chinese buying properties in the city – as well as the government’s “patriotic education” drive, and the large numbers of mainland tourists who flock to Hong Kong. Many Hong Kongers are also concerned about China’s growing control over the city’s news media, as they increasingly self-censor and follow Beijing’s tacit orders. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/10/what-are-the-hong-kong-protests-about-explainerMore than a thousand protestors surround Hong Kong's main police headquarters on Arsenal Street in Wan Chai on June 26th following a peaceful rally at Edinburgh Place in Central. Doors to the complex were barricaded by protestors, who left after a six hour siege in protest at police violence at a prtest held earlier on 12 June 2019. Protesters ended a six-hour siege of Hong Kong’s police headquarters – their second in a week over the now-suspended extradition bill – early on Thursday morning. More than 1,000 were involved at the height of the protest, which began after 10pm on Wednesday. Around 100 were left at the end and dispersed without a fight when officers with riot shields emerged from the building in Wan Chai at 4am on Thursday. After a peaceful rally attended by thousands earlier at Edinburgh Place in the Central business district, hundreds descended on Arsenal Street, blocking the junction with Lockhart Road to all traffic and sealing the entrances to the police base. (https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3016238/hong-kong-police-under-siege-again-protesters-surround )carrie lam, hong kong protests, extraditions, protest, protestors

Carrie Lam, Hong Kong’s chief executive, had plenty of political support in the territory’s pro-Beijing legislature to pass a bill that would allow extraditions to mainland China. The legislators were set to begin discussing the bill in early June, and intended to vote on it just weeks later. A series of protests took place, and after a June 16 protest saw the largest turnout yet, Ms. Lam made a major concession: She postponed the bill, at least temporarily. It was an undeniable victory for the protesters — but it did little to quell the unrest. Since the bill could later be reintroduced, protesters felt they remained in danger. The police tactics to break up the demonstrations on June 12, including the use of more than 150 tear gas canisters to push protesters far away from the government office, created a new set of demands from the protesters. Now, instead of just calling for the withdrawal of the bill and Ms. Lam’s resignation, they said they wouldn’t be content unless there was an independent investigation of officers’ conduct. They also wanted the release of protesters arrested on June 12, and for the government to rescind its description of the demonstrations as a “riot,” a designation that carries legal significance. None of that has happened. Many analysts say Ms. Lam is unlikely to step down, nor would Beijing accept her resignation if she offered it. She has more wiggle room on the other demands, but has not indicated any willingness to budge. The Hong Kong Protests are a leaderless, digital movement.There is no single leader or group deciding on or steering the strategy, tactics and goals of the movement. Instead, protesters have used forums and messaging apps to decide next steps. Anyone can suggest a course of action, and others then vote on whether they support it. The most popular ideas rise to the top, and then people rally to make them happen. At its best, this structure has empowered many people to participate and have their voices heard. Protesters say it keeps them all safe by not allowing the government to target specific leaders. Their success in halting the extradition bill, which was shelved by the territory’s chief executive, speaks to the movement’s power. Despite the lack of a clear leader, protesters have shown extensive coordination at the demonstrations, having planned the specifics online beforehand. Supply stations are set up to distribute water, snacks, gloves, umbrellas and shields made of cardboard. Volunteer first aid workers wear brightly colored vests. People form assembly lines to pass supplies across long distances, with protesters communicating what they need through a series of predetermined hand signals. Anyone walking in dangerous areas without a helmet or a mask is quickly offered one. No individual can speak on behalf of the protesters, which makes negotiations difficult, if not impossible. (https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/02/world/asia/hong-kong-protest-explained.html, accessed 07/07/2019) Hong Kong’s amended extradition law would allow the extradition of suspects to mainland China for the first time. Supporters say the amendments are key to ensuring the city does not become a criminal refuge, but critics worry Beijing will use the law to extradite political opponents and others to China where their legal protections cannot be guaranteed. The government claims the push to change the law, which would also apply to Taiwan and Macau, stems from the killing last year of a Hong Kong woman while she was in Taiwan with her boyfriend. Authorities in Taiwan suspect the woman’s boyfriend, who remains in Hong Kong, but cannot try him because no extradition agreement is in place. Under the amended law, those accused of offences punishable by seven years or more in prison could be extradited. The new legislation would give Hong Kong’s leader, known as the chief executive, authority to approve extradition requests, after review by the courts. Hong Kong’s legislature, the legislative council, would not have any oversight over the extradition process. Many Hong Kongers fear the proposed extradition law will be used by authorities to target political enemies. They worry the new legislation spells the end of the “one country, two systems” policy, eroding the civil rights enjoyed by Hong Kong residents since the handover of sovereignty from the UK to China in 1997. Many attending the protests on Sunday said they could not trust China as it had often used non-political crimes to target government critics, and said they also feared Hong Kong officials would not be able to reject Beijing’s requests. Legal professionals have also expressed concern over the rights of those sent across the border to be tried. The conviction rate in Chinese courts is as high as 99%. Arbitrary detentions, torture and denial of legal representation of one’s choosing are also common. Many in the protests on Sunday 09 June 2019 said they felt overwhelmed by a sense of helplessness in the face of mainland China’s increasing political, economic and cultural influence in Hong Kong. Hong Kong’s top political leader is not elected by ordinary voters but by a 1,200-strong election committee accountable to Beijing. Half of its legislature are chosen through indirect electoral systems that favour pro-Beijing figures. Many Hong Kongers also cited the jailing of leaders and activists from the 2014 Occupy Central movement– a 79-day mass civil disobedience movement – as well as the disqualification of young localist lawmakers as signs of the erosion of civil freedoms. Resentment towards China has been intensified by soaring property prices – with increasing numbers of mainland Chinese buying properties in the city – as well as the government’s “patriotic education” drive, and the large numbers of mainland tourists who flock to Hong Kong. Many Hong Kongers are also concerned about China’s growing control over the city’s news media, as they increasingly self-censor and follow Beijing’s tacit orders. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/10/what-are-the-hong-kong-protests-about-explainerSeven police officers stand guard in front of Hong Kong's main police headquarters on Arsenal Street in Wan Chai as an estimated one thousand protestors surround on 26 June 2019. Protestors take turns to step up and hurl abuse at the officers, in a protest lasting 6 hours before peacefully dispersing. The protesters chanted 'Release the martyrs' and 'Stop police violence' in reference to violent clashes with police in the days previous. ( https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3016238/hong-kong-police-under-siege-again-protesters-surround)carrie lam, hong kong protests, extraditions, protest, protestors, police, wan chai