Hong Kong: Police pepper-spray protesters amid Legislative Council storming

Police attempted to push protesters back with pepper spray as they tried to break into the Legislative Council of Hong Kong (LegCo) building on Monday.

Protesters used a metal trolley and scaffolding poles to smash a glass door to gain access into the offices.

Police closely monitored protesters as they stormed the premises of LegCo on the 22nd anniversary of Hong Kong’s handover to China.

The protests, among the largest in Hong Kong’s history, have seen hundreds of thousands gather in the streets since the end of March, against an extradition bill which opponents say might chill political speech in the Chinese territory as it would enable Hong Kong to consider extradition cases to mainland China for some crimes.

Protests continue despite Hong Kong’s Chief Executive Carrie Lam announcing an indefinite suspension of the extradition bill. Protesters are now demanding Lam’s resignation and a complete repeal of the bill.