Dear all,

Wikimedia Community User Group Hong Kong has released the following statement about ongoing protests carried out in Hong Kong.

**** Wikimedia Community User Group Hong Kong (the Hong Kong Wikimedia Community) has released a resolution on April 16 about its stance on the Extradition Bill [1]. However, the ongoing developing situation requires the local community to issue the following statement. We request the global community, particularly East Asian Wikimania Participants, to be alerted about the ongoing development of the Hong Kong Protests against the extradition bill.

Recent development of protests against the extradition in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has developed in an unintended way, where news reports, including local and international news outlets showing the pro-government councilors cooperating with local triads in attacking passers-by (in Yuen Long), and protesters “battling” the force using block-and-run tactics.

Local strikes, non-cooperation movements from protesters, and police threats in recent days has disrupted local traffic and harmed the safety of individuals staying in Hong Kong.

Furthermore, strikes from airport staff has led to partial closure of the Hong Kong International Airport, where the airport only operated on a single-runway, which had led to delays and cancellations of flights.

The Hong Kong Wikimedia Community is well aware of the associated safety risks and risks of delays, and recommends international conference participants not to arrange participants, and participants not to use Hong Kong as a transit point.

At the same time, the Hong Kong Wikimedia Community has been notified from our members that there are at least three members living within the conflict zone. Currently, none of our members are hurt or charged with crimes associated with the extradition bill protests.

We also hope all members of the general public, including the police, government itself, protesters, etc. to stay calm and not to initiate violence against their opposing parties.

[1] & Original Statement: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Community_User_Group_Hong_Kong/Res... **** The statement is also released through Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WikimediaUGHK/posts/1282637515229584/ ---------------------------- William Chan Community Liaison, Educator Wikimedia Community User Group Hong Kong User group : meta page http://bit.ly/WMCUGHK | facebook http://fb.me/WikimediaUGHK Personal : linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/the23333/ | telegram http://t.me/theonly23333 ----------------------------