The protesters are also calling for more open elections in the semiautonomous Chinese territory. “Hong Kong is a civilized city, but they don’t listen to the citizens,” one protester said.

The mass demonstrations have delayed debate on the bill, but they are unlikely to prevent the law from being enacted. The relationship between Hong Kong and mainland China has tilted decisively toward Beijing in recent years, and pro-Beijing lawmakers hold 43 of the legislature’s 70 seats.

Photographs: See scenes from the protests this week.

Explainer: The extradition proposal has produced some of the largest shows of dissent in the Hong Kong in years. Here’s why.