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Protesters on Monday forced their way into the central chamber of Hong Kong’s parliament after an hours-long siege.
BBC News reports that dozens of demonstrators broke through the glass of the Legislative Council (LegCo) building earlier in the day.
Hundreds then entered the building, spray-painting messages on the walls and carrying supplies for those occupying the premises.
The unrest is a breakaway part of a peaceful protest involving thousands, over a controversial extradition law.
Earlier, police held signs warning they would use force if protesters charged the glass exterior walls. They later warned that anyone who breached an internal metal gate would be arrested.
But on each occasion, they decided not to move against the crowd – which was armed with plastic helmets, makeshift cardboard shields and umbrellas – and apparently fell back instead.
Police had, however, used pepper spray and batons to contain crowds during earlier clashes.
Pro-democracy demonstrators had taken to the streets on the anniversary of the city’s handover from UK to Chinese rule.
This is the latest in a series of protests against a controversial bill that would allow extraditions to mainland China.
The government has agreed to suspend it indefinitely, but rallies continue amid calls for Chief Executive Carrie Lam to resign.
Hong Kong, a former British colony, has been part of China since 1997 under a “one country, two systems” deal that guarantees it a level of autonomy. Pro-democracy events are held every year to mark the handover.
The LegCo building was put on red alert for the first ever time on Monday – meaning people should evacuate the building and area.
But by 21:00 (13:00 GMT), the watching crowd had grown rather than dispersed, and hundreds of protesters streamed through the broken glass into the building proper.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-48821640