Govt Statement Caused The Violence: Pan-dems

Pan-democratic lawmakers on Monday blamed the government response to a mass rally as a reason for violence and called on Chief Executive to quit, saying she is causing instability in Hong Kong.

They said that the government’s statement on Sunday night announcing its decision to push ahead with its contentious extradition bill even before rally participants dispersed led to the clashes.

The administration had issued a statement at around 11pm on Sunday saying it would continue its course, about an hour after organisers of a million-strong protest announced the conclusion of the rally.

Shortly after the statement was issued, chaotic scenes broke out with some protesters ramming police officers with metal barriers and throwing bottles at them outside the Legco complex.

At a press conference held on Monday, the pro-democracy camp called on Chief Executive Carrie Lam to withdraw the bill and resign, saying she’s the cause for instability in Hong Kong, and that she’s worse than previous leaders.

Meanwhile, the organiser of the mass protest, Civil Human Rights Front, said it will organise a rally outside Legco whenever it is scheduled to discuss the bill.

Its convenor, Jimmy Sham, also said he’s glad that some shops and businesses are planning strikes on Wednesday. He said the front will help such establishments.