Extradition Bill Protesters Try To Storm Legco

Violent scenes broke out at the Legislative Council complex on Monday afternoon as extradition bill protesters used rods and a metal cart to try to smash their way into the building.

As scores of riot police looked on from inside the complex, protesters charged at the glass, making it crack on their first attempt to break in, and smashing it around an hour later when the violence resumed.

Officers had their shields raised, and some fired pepper spray towards the protesters through the shattered glass. At least one officer was seen preparing a gun believed to fire rubber bullets.

Hundreds of protesters were at the scene, many holding umbrellas and wearing masks, with some wrapping cling film around their arms to block any tear gas fired by the police.

One protester was pushed to the ground as he tried to stop the others from attacking the building.

Legislator Leung Yiu-chung also attempted to block the protesters but he was wrestled away, apparently injured, while Civic Party legislator Kwok Ka-ki hurt his hand during the incident.

Other pro-democracy lawmakers were also at the scene, pleading for the crowd to remain peaceful.

But a 26-year-old protester, surnamed Cheng, said the authorities had forced them to escalate their action.

"The government doesn't listen to us. If they had listened to us, we wouldn't need to go inside there. But they don't listen. They force us to go inside to find them," he said.

Labour Party legislator Fernando Cheung said it was unfortunate that some people had resorted to violence, but he agreed that were only acting out of desperation.

"They have tried many times over the past two weeks, trying to escalate their action. But each time there was no response from the government," Cheung said.

Despite failing to break into the council building, a standoff continued with police officers, with violence breaking out on a number of occasions.

Legco president Andrew Leung condemned the violence, saying several parts of the building had been seriously damaged.

The organisers of the annual July 1 march said in light of the trouble, the planned rally at Legco was instead being moved to Chater Road in Central.

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