WATCH: Hong Kong Underground Church Turns Out in Thousands, Singing Christian Hymn in Protest

The 2019 Hong Kong anti-extradition bill protests have been marked by heated and passionate demonstrations from pro-democracy advocates over the last several months.

If enacted, the controversial bill will permit authorities to detain and extradite people who are wanted in territories where Hong Kong does not have extradition agreements. Many fear that the bill will force Hong Kong under the jurisdiction of mainland China, thus restricting citizens’ rights.

The Church has taken a particular interest in fighting the bill. On June 9th, the leader of a megachurch that tends to side with the government made a comment on its Facebook page calling for the extradition bill to the shelved. Patrick So is the senior pastor of Yan Fook Church, which is home to about 10,000 members.

And Yan Fook Church isn’t the only Christian group that has publicly announced its opposition to the extradition bill. On June 11th, the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong issued an appeal to the government requesting the government not pass the Extradition Bill “hurriedly before adequately addressing the queries and worries of the legal sector and of the general public.”

Many Christian groups have started peacefully and prayerfully protesting the bill to the tune of “Sing Hallelujah to the Lord.” Since June, several videos of protestors singing the hymn have circulated on social media.

As riot shields and tear gas fill the streets, the sweet sound of the underground church worshipping a God who can conquer all can be heard piercing through the chaos.

I’m in Hong Kong at a rally of Christians singing against the extradition bill. More to come about Christian fearing Chinese takeover for @firstthingsmag! pic.twitter.com/1PDo8TBHVH

— Alessandra (@alessabocchi) August 23, 2019