Hong Kong: Protesters try to storm govt building on handover anniversary

Anti-government protesters smashed windows of Hong Kong's Legislative Council on Monday as the island territory marked the 22^nd anniversary of its handover from British rule to China. Hong Kong has seen weeks of protests over a contentious extradition bill that allows for transfer of criminal suspects to mainland China.

Lawmakers of the Democratic Party appealed to protesters not to storm the Legislative Council, but were subject to verbal abuse in return.

A mass march is planned to be held by 3pm (local time) on Monday. Pro-democracy activists have held demonstrations on July 1 to mark the handover anniversary for years, but this year's event is expected to be more volatile than previous occasions. Marches will be held by protesters from Victoria Park in Causeway Bay and finish at the legislative and administrative headquarters in the Admiralty area, the South China Morning Post reported. Protesters have refused to comply with police requests to change the routes of their marches.

Police fired pepper spray at hundreds of protesters attempting to get close to the venue of celebrations at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on the Wan Chai waterfront. The South China Morning Post reported 13 policemen were injured in scuffles with protesters.

Authorities shifted the celebration of the handover anniversary to inside the Legislative Council, an unprecedented move highlighting the degree of tension. Speaking at the ceremony, Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor promised to “overhaul her administration's governing style, starting with herself,” according to the South China Morning Post.

Though the government has suspended passage of the extradition law, protesters have not been satisfied with Carrie Lam's overtures.