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If Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam thought she could silence weekend protests by extending an olive branch, she's underestimated the outrage against her.

Today, a large crowd of Vancouver residents gathered outside China's consulate.

Organized by Canadian Friends of Hong Kong, the Vancouver Hong Kong Forum Society, and Vancouver Society in Support of Democratic Movement, the demonstrators were there to express their condemnation of the treatment of protesters in Hong Kong.

A moment of silence was held for one man who died after unfurling a banner protesting an extradition bill that Lam has since put on hold.

Lam's move came overnight, Vancouver time, before the protesters gathered.

The proposed legislation, if passed, would have allowed the Chinese government to extradite criminals in Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan to face justice on the mainland.

Critics said it would have enabled the Beijing government to "kidnap" Hong Kong residents, including business people, for arbitrary punishment.

China is currently holding Canadian businessman Michael Spavor and Canadian diplomat-on-leave Michael Kovrig, claiming that they violated state security laws.

Most Canadians believe that these two are simply being held as hostages in retaliation for Canadian Border Services Agency's arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou, who faces extradition to the United States.

A large demonstration is planned on Sunday (June 16) in Hong Kong.