Hundreds of protesters in Hong Kong on Monday stormed and occupied the semi-autonomous region’s parliament in a direct challenge to China as anger over a controversial extradition bill spiraled out of control.
Photos and videos from Hong Kong showed dramatic scenes as protesters wearing yellow and white hats literally smashed their way into Hong Kong’s Legislative Council.
The police was forced to become a mute spectator on Monday and the protesters had free run outside and inside the Legislative Council. According to the BBC, the police warned they would use force against the protesters multiple times, but decided not to act against the crowd on each occasion.
The moment the Hong Kong police lost control, retreated from LegCo. They ran away, vastly outnumbered by the kids.#antiELAB#NoChinaExtradition#SaveHongKong
The protesters smashed through metal and glass barricades and doors before entering the Legislative Council building where they smashed and tore down portraits of Hong Kong’s leaders.
The protesters managed to enter the legislature’s main hall where they stood atop leader’s benches and spray painted the walls. The protesters also sprayed black paint over Hong Kong’s emblem and tied the British-era flag featuring the union jack of the United Kingdom.
Hong Kong protesters spray paint graffiti on the walls inside the LegCo chamber and place the British colonial flag over the podium
Monday was just another example of the extreme anger among Hong Kong’s citizens that has been on show for weeks now.
The protesters are angry over a proposed law that would allow Hong Kong residents accused of crimes to be sent to mainland China in order to be tried in courts there.
The bill, which was ‘suspended’ after massive protests broke out in Hong Kong, was seen as another attempt by Beijing to interfere in Hong Kong’s matters.
Hong Kong enjoys an “autonomous” status, under which it has its own legal system and rights. However, there have been long-standing concerns that Beijing meddling in Hong Kong and especially in the composition of the government of Hong Kong.
These concerns have come to the fore with the controversial extradition bill, sparking protests that have grabbed the world’s attention.
Millions of Hong Kong citizens have taken to the streets in recent weeks to protest against the extradition bill, forcing the government to ‘suspend’ the bill.
Hong Kong protesters, however, aren’t happy with that — they want the bill entirely scrapped and the head of the government — Chief Executive Carrie Lam — to go.
And so, they have soldiered on, resulting in awe-inspiring photos and videos of a protest never seen before.
