Riot police patrol the Legislative Council building damaged by demonstrators. Photo by Anthony Kwan/Getty Images
Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam said Tuesday she condemned what she called the "violent acts" of protesters who stormed and ransacked the Legislative Council the previous night, the BBC reports.
Details: There's a tense calm in the territory, after police used tear gas to evict the activists who'd occupied the building into early Tuesday, according to Reuters. Some had spray-painted slogans on the walls of the main chamber demanding the release of Hong Kongers arrested in last month's protest, as well as the resignation of Lam, per AP
The big picture: The activists had broken away from a peaceful mass protest Monday on the 22nd anniversary of the handover of the former British colony to China, the New York Times notes.
Why it matters: Hong Kong retained a high degree of autonomy when it was returned to China in 1997 — including the freedom to protest and an independent judiciary. Hong Kong residents worry that’s crumbling as the Chinese Communist Party tightens its grip, per Axios' Dave Lawler.
What started as a protest over a now-suspended bill that would allow extradition to mainland China has turned into a broader repudiation of Chinese rule, the New York Times notes. Protesters remain worried the extradition bill could be reintroduced.
In photos
Police stand outside the government headquarters in Hong Kong. Photo: Vivek Prakash/AFP/Getty ImagesA police officer surveys the damage at the Legislative Council. Photo: Anthony Wallace/AFP/Getty ImagesPolice fire tear gas at protesters near the government HQ. Photo: Anthony Wallace/AFP/Getty ImagesRiot police fire tear gas as they attempt to dislodge anti-government protesters. Photo: Anthony Wallace/AFP/Getty ImagesActivists start forcing their way into the government HQ. Photo: Anthony Wallace/AFP/Getty ImagesProtesters gather to take part in the annual pro-democracy rally, which later turned into a massive demonstration involving thousands. Photo: Sarah LAI /AFP/Getty ImagesProtesters attempt to break a window at the government headquarters. Photo: Anthony Wallace/AFP/Getty ImagesProtesters ram a metal cart through the glass doors. Police responded with pepper spray. Photo: Vivek Prakash/AFP/Getty ImagesA protester shouts in front of police outside the government headquarters after the annual flag-raising ceremony. Photo: Philip Fong/AFP/Getty ImagesHelicopters fly across Victoria Harbour carrying a Hong Kong flag (L) and Chinese flag for the annual ceremony. Photo: Philip Fong/AFP/Getty ImagesPolice officers attend a flag raising ceremony at Golden Bauhinia Square. Photo: Zhang Wei/China News Service/VCG via Getty ImagesPolice use batons on protesters during a clash near the Legislative Council Complex hours before protesters attacked the building. Photo: Anthony Kwan/Getty ImagesHong Kong police pepper spray protesters outside the Legislative Council Complex hours before protesters attacked the building. Photo: Anthony Kwan/Getty ImagesProtesters push barricades toward police on a street during a standoff outside the Legislative Council Complex. Photo: Anthony Kwan/Getty ImagesProtesters with makeshift shields to defend themselves against police outside the Legislative Council Complex. Photo: Anthony Kwan/Getty ImagesOfficials including Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam (3rd L) in the Convention and Exhibition Center toast the flag-raising ceremony marking the city's handover from the U.K. to China. Photo: Anthony Wallace/AFP/Getty Images
