'Govt To Blame For Violence, CE Must Quit Tonight'

The Hong Kong government is to blame for violent scenes at the Legislative Council, the Civic Party said on Monday night, warning the administration it should respond to protesters' demands in the coming hours.

In a statement, the party said the serious clashes – which saw demonstrators smash through glass entrances to the legislature – occurred because people are upset, and young people in particular have been left feeling "hopeless".

It said the responsibility for this lies with the government which must finally act to address the public's concerns.

The party said Chief Executive Carrie Lam must personally respond to the people's demand that the extradition bill be withdrawn completely, and she must do so on Monday night.

She must also announce an inquiry into police action during clashes with protesters on June 12, an amnesty for those arrested that day, and for those clashes to no longer be classed as a riot, the party said.

The statement also called for Lam to announce her immediate resignation for the "unprecedented social crisis" she has caused.