Tuesday 13 / May / 2025
Hong Kong Central: Pro-democracy protestors in Hong Kong — who had broken into and ransacked the parliament — were forcefully evicted by national police late Monday night.
Earlier in the day, scuffles had broken out near the Legislative Council as a ceremony was held to mark the anniversary of Hong Kong's handover back to China from British rule.
Hundreds of police officers fired tear-gas at the protestors after midnight after warning them to clear the area.
Hundreds of thousands took part in peaceful protests earlier in the month - the latest rally against a proposed law that critics fear could be used to extradite political dissidents to mainland China.
The protestors have also been demanding an independent inquiry into alleged police brutality during an earlier protest on 12 June.
Hong Kong's embattled political leader Carrie Lam held a press conference at 04.00 (local time) where she condemned the "extreme use of violence" by those who broke into the legislature.
By lunchtime on Monday, dozens of demonstrators broke off and made their way to Hong Kong’s parliament. They effectively besieged the building, as a large crowd of several hundred watched from a distance, before eventually smashing their way through the glass facade.
Pro-democracy legislators at the scene had attempted to dissuade the protestors from breaking warning them they could face serious criminal charges for doing so.
Police warned the crowd they would use force and make arrests, but fell back to an interior gate before vacating the building, rather than engage the crowd. Hundreds more flowed in once the police left.
Hong Kong enjoys a 'one country, two systems' deal that guarantees it a level of autonomy, and rights not seen on mainland China.
However, Hong Kong still does not have a full democracy, and pro-democracy events are held every year to mark the handover.
