Violent clashes between protestors and the police on the 22nd Handover Ceremony in Hong Kong
Fresh clashes broke out once again in Honk Kong today, i.e., Monday, July 1 ,2019 between the police and the protestors as the latter gathered outside the Legislative Council (LegCo) and on Tim Wa Road, outside the headquarters of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
The protestors are marking the 22nd anniversary of Hong Kong’s handover to China from United Kingdom (U.K.). Hong Kong was officially handed over to People’ s Republic of China on July 1, 1997. It was handed over under a “one country, two systems” deal that guaranteed certain autonomy to Hong Kong. Thousands of hundreds of protestors hold march every year to mark this handover.
In 2003, more than 5,00,000 protesters took to the streets over a proposed national security law, which people feared would allow the Government to suppress all sorts of oppositions. Since then, it’s held annually as a mark of pro-democracy protests.
Earlier in the day, people gathered at Victoria Park and started heading to West into Central. The Flag Hoisting ceremony was underway at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, when protestors attempted to intervene. The protesters smashed windows and tried to force their way into the building by ramming a metal cart through the glass doors. The police had to then use pepper spray and baton, to contain the crowd. Hundreds of officers covered in full protective riot gear have been stationed inside the Legislative Council building.
Speaking at the Flag hoisting ceremony, the Chief Executive of Hong Kong – Carrie Lam said, “I will learn the lesson and ensure that the government’s future work will be closer and more responsive to the aspirations, sentiments and opinions of the community.”
The police later said that more than 10 officers have been rushed to hospital after protestors threw an unknown liquid at them. The police have also urged the protestors to stop violence and avoid going around LegCo area.
For the records, Hong Kong has been witnessing lot of clashes since past one month, after the Government decided to table the controversial extradition bill. However, owing to mass protest across Hong Kong and fearing civic unrest, the Government then decided to suspend the bill.
The bill, if implemented, would have allowed China, Taiwan and Macau to place extradition request for suspects accused of criminal wrongdoings. The requests would have then been decided on a case-by-case basis. However, Hong Kong Courts would have the right to make the final decision.
The people of Hong Kong are not happy with only the suspension of the bill. They want it to be completely scrapped.
