In photos: Hong Kong police fire tear gas on protestors amid mass demonstrations
Riot police search for protesters in the Legislative Council building damaged by demonstrators. Photo by Anthony Kwan/Getty Images
Hong Kong police have fired tear gas on protesters who stormed and ransacked the Legislative Council building to evict them from the premises, Reuters reports.
What's new: Activists occupied the building for hours after breaking away from a protest Monday on the 22nd anniversary of the handover of the former British colony to China, per the BBC. Some protestors spray-painted slogans on the walls of the main chamber demanding the release of Hong Kongers arrested in last month's protest, as well as the resignation of the city's leader, Carrie Lam, according to AP
Why it matters: Hong Kong retained a high degree of autonomy when it was returned to China in 1997 — including the freedom to protest and an independent judiciary. Hong Kong residents worry that’s crumbling as the Chinese Communist Party tightens its grip, per Axios' Dave Lawler.
What started as a protest over a now-suspended bill that would allow extradition to mainland China has turned into a broader repudiation of Chinese rule, the New York Times notes.
Lam pledged in a speech after a flag-raising ceremony to be more responsive to public sentiment following weeks of protests against the extradition bill, per AP. Protesters remain worried it could be reintroduced.
In photos
Hong Kong police fire tear gas at protesters near the government headquarters early on Tuesday local time. Photo: Anthony Wallace/AFP/Getty Images
Hong Kong riot police fire tear gas as they attempt to dislodge anti-government protesters. Photo: Anthony Wallace/AFP/Getty Images
Protesters tried to force their way into the government headquarters. Photo: Anthony Wallace/AFP/Getty Images
Protesters gather to take part in the annual pro-democracy rally in a Hong Kong park. Photo: Sarah LAI /AFP/Getty Images
Protesters attempt to break a window at the government headquarters. Photo: Anthony Wallace/AFP/Getty Images
Protesters try to force their way into the building by ramming a metal cart through the glass doors. Police responded with pepper spray. Photo: Vivek Prakash/AFP/Getty Images
A protester shouts in front of police outside the government headquarters after the annual flag-raising ceremony. Photo: Philip Fong/AFP/Getty Images
Helicopters fly across Victoria Harbour carrying a Hong Kong flag (L) and Chinese flag for the annual ceremony. Photo: Philip Fong/AFP/Getty Images
Police officers attend a flag raising ceremony at Golden Bauhinia Square. Photo: Zhang Wei/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images
Police use batons on protesters during a clash near the Legislative Council Complex hours before protesters attacked the building. Photo: Anthony Kwan/Getty Images
Hong Kong police pepper spray protesters outside the Legislative Council Complex hours before protesters attacked the building. Photo: Anthony Kwan/Getty Images
Protesters push barricades toward police on a street during a standoff outside the Legislative Council Complex. Photo: Anthony Kwan/Getty Images
Protesters with makeshift shields to defend themselves against police outside the Legislative Council Complex. Photo: Anthony Kwan/Getty Images
Officials including Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam (3rd L) in the Convention and Exhibition Center toast the flag-raising ceremony marking the city's handover from the U.K. to China. Photo: Anthony Wallace/AFP/Getty Images
