Hong Kong protesters storm main legislative building, clash with police
- 5 years ago
Massive demonstrations have hit Hong Kong again.
Protesters forced their way into the parliament late Monday amid mounting frustration over the lack of response over their demands to withdraw a controversial extradition bill and for Hong Kong's leader to resign.
For more on this and other news from around the world, let's turn to our Kim Mok-yeon.
Mok-yeon, tell us why and how the protest turned so violent?
Mark, the pro-democracy protests have been an annual event that always came in time with the handover ceremony.
But even before the anniversary, Hong Kong has seen hundreds of thousands of people taking to the streets to oppose the controversial extradition bill, a government proposal to allow suspects be extradited to mainland China to face trail.
Hong Kong's Chief Executive Carrie Lam had already postponed debate on the extradition bill indefinitely, but protesters want the legislation formally withdrawn as well as Lam's resignation.
Furious at their demands going unheard, a large group of protesters swarmed into the main building of Hong Kong's parliament on Monday night, tearing down portraits of legislative leaders and spray-painting pro-democracy slogans on the walls.
Shortly after, police carrying riot shields and firing teargas moved inside the legislature and began their crackdown around midnight.
And just a few hours ago, Lam made a statement, claiming the Hong Kong government is responding to the demands of the public "positively".
Let's take a listen.
"Now first of all, if the cause of the social tensions that we have seen is a bill to amend the fugitive offenders ordinance on the 15th of June I have announced the suspension of the bill. And subsequently we have explained and elaborated by suspending the bill at this point in time with no timetable and no plan to resume the debate of the bill in the Legislative Council."
Lam also condemned the violence, and expressed hopes for society to return to normal as soon as possible.
More than 50 people were injured and have been sent to the hospital.
Protesters forced their way into the parliament late Monday amid mounting frustration over the lack of response over their demands to withdraw a controversial extradition bill and for Hong Kong's leader to resign.
For more on this and other news from around the world, let's turn to our Kim Mok-yeon.
Mok-yeon, tell us why and how the protest turned so violent?
Mark, the pro-democracy protests have been an annual event that always came in time with the handover ceremony.
But even before the anniversary, Hong Kong has seen hundreds of thousands of people taking to the streets to oppose the controversial extradition bill, a government proposal to allow suspects be extradited to mainland China to face trail.
Hong Kong's Chief Executive Carrie Lam had already postponed debate on the extradition bill indefinitely, but protesters want the legislation formally withdrawn as well as Lam's resignation.
Furious at their demands going unheard, a large group of protesters swarmed into the main building of Hong Kong's parliament on Monday night, tearing down portraits of legislative leaders and spray-painting pro-democracy slogans on the walls.
Shortly after, police carrying riot shields and firing teargas moved inside the legislature and began their crackdown around midnight.
And just a few hours ago, Lam made a statement, claiming the Hong Kong government is responding to the demands of the public "positively".
Let's take a listen.
"Now first of all, if the cause of the social tensions that we have seen is a bill to amend the fugitive offenders ordinance on the 15th of June I have announced the suspension of the bill. And subsequently we have explained and elaborated by suspending the bill at this point in time with no timetable and no plan to resume the debate of the bill in the Legislative Council."
Lam also condemned the violence, and expressed hopes for society to return to normal as soon as possible.
More than 50 people were injured and have been sent to the hospital.