In Pictures

In Pictures: Hong Kong protesters storm government headquarters

Protesters break through glass door at legislative council headquarters in Hong Kong, in latest escalation.

People are seen inside a chamber, after protesters broke into the Legislative Council building during the anniversary of Hong Kong''s handover to China in Hong Kong, China July 1, 2019. The banner read — People are seen inside a chamber, after protesters broke into the Legislative Council building during the anniversary of Hong Kong's handover to China. The banner reads "There are no thugs, only tyranny". [Tyrone Siu/Reuters]

Hong Kong, China – Protesters in Hong Kong attempted to force their way into the Legislative Council building on Monday by ramming a metal cart through the glass doors, adding to tensions with police and prompting the police to retaliate with pepper spray, ahead of the planned mass protest on the anniversary of the city’s return to mainland China.

The protests, which follow several weeks of demonstrations over a controversial extradition bill that would allow suspects to be sent to the mainland for trial, come as the former British territory marks the Special Administrative Region Establishment Day, the day it was returned to Chinese rule in 1997.

Wong Yik Mo, a spokesman for the organisers, the Civil Human Rights Front, told journalists the rally was to press for Chief Executive Carrie Lam’s resignation and for the bill to be withdrawn completely.

The July 1 march is an annual event in the city, but this year’s event is expected to dwarf previous rallies as the city goes through one of the most tumultuous political periods in its recent history.

A protester uses a loudspeaker after they broke into the parliament chamber of the government headquarters and tied a British colonial flag to the podium in Hong Kong on July 1, 2019, on the 22nd anni — A protester uses a loudspeaker after they broke into the parliament chamber and tied a British colonial flag to the podium. [Vivek Prakash/AFP]

Protesters gather outside the government headquarters in Hong Kong on July 1, 2019, on the 22nd anniversary of the city''s handover from Britain to China. Hundreds of protesters stormed Hong Kong''s par — Hundreds of protesters stormed Hong Kong's parliament late on July 1 as the territory marked its China handover anniversary, ransacking the building and daubing its walls with graffiti as the city plunged into unprecedented depths of political chaos. [Dale De La Rey/AFP]

A protester gestures after they broke into the parliament chamber of the government headquarters in Hong Kong on July 1, 2019, on the 22nd anniversary of the city''s handover from Britain to China. Hun — A protester gestures after they broke into the parliament chamber of the government headquarters in Hong Kong. [Vivek Prakasg/AFP]

A defaced portrait of Andrew Leung, Chairman of the Legislative Council is seen on the floor after protesters break the Legislative Council building during the annual 01 July pro-democracy march Hong — A defaced portrait of Andrew Leung, Chairman of the Legislative Council is seen on the floor after protesters break the Legislative Council building. [Jerome Favre/EPA]

Hong Kong's political standoff continued on Monday as protesters attempted to force their way into the Legislative Council building. [Euan McKird/Al Jazeera]