Hong Kong protests escalate as violent demonstrators overrun legislature building
HONG KONG - Protesters on Monday stormed Hong Kong's legislative building, smashing the building's glass walls, dismantling fences and gates, and vandalizing the inner chamber.
The demonstrators tore down portraits of legislative leaders and spray-painted pro-democracy slogans on the walls of the main chamber. They also raised a sign that read: "There are no violent rioters, only a violent regime," and hung a British colonial-era flag over the speaker's chair.
On this, the anniversary of Hong Kong's handover from Britain to China, tens of thousands tried to keep the protest peaceful, marching through the streets in an echo of two previous marches against an extradition bill that many feel reflects Beijing's growing control over Hong Kong.
But some protesters had other ideas.
Agnes, Shing and their son Alex stared at a television screen in disbelief as protesters charged the legislative building.
The family had come to Causeway Bay to join a third peaceful march against the extradition bill. They were standing at an electronics shop next to the road among growing crowds before the march began. But its planned ending point seemed to already be
