Combative protesters tried to break into the Hong Kong legislature on Monday as a crowd of thousands were marching in that direction on the 22nd anniversary of the former British colony’s return to China. After they managed to get the cart wedged into the damaged panel, police grabbed the cart away from them. The proposal has increased fears of eroding freedoms in the territory that was returned to China in 1997. The embattled leader of Hong Kong pledged to be more responsive to public sentiment in a speech at a flag-raising ceremony. Before the morning ceremony, protesters trying to gain access to the square were driven back by officers with plastic shields and batons, the retreating protesters pointing open umbrellas to ward off pepper spray.

Source: The Telegraph July 01, 2019 09:11 UTC