China: Protesters Try To Smash Way Into Hong Kong Legislative Council

By Staff, Agencies

China’s anti-government protesters smashed windows of Hong Kong's Legislative Council on Monday and were trying to force their way into the building by ramming a metal cart through the glass doors, as police responded with pepper spray.

Riot police were also seen inside the building, which has been at the center of protests in the past three weeks, driven by demands for the withdrawal of a bill that would allow extraditions to the Chinese mainland.

Hong Kong has seen massive protests over the past several weeks with demonstrators aiming their anger and frustration at Hong Kong’s Beijing-backed leader Carrie Lam, demanding her immediate resignation.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong residents expressed mounting concerns over the now-suspended extradition bill, citing fears Beijing would use the legislation to undermine Hong Kong’s much-cherished rule of law and entangle people in China's opaque and politicized court system.

Suspending the bill, however, has done little quell public anger and rallies continue to draw millions of demonstrators.

Last month, Lam apologized for the political crisis embroiling the semi-autonomous territory, but has so far refused to resign from office.

The protests are the most serious challenge posed to Chinese leader Xi Jinping since taking over the presidency in 2012.