Hong Kong police fired tear gas to stop protesters from storming parliament, in a major escalation of public anger against a controversial extradition bill.
Local news footage showed demonstrators scattering as thick clouds of tear gas enveloped a group of protesters, who clashed with riot police outside the city’s legislature.
The development came after thousands massing outside the building forced Hong Kong authorities to postpone the second reading of a bill allowing extradition to mainland China.
In scenes reminiscent of the Umbrella Movement that brought the city to a standstill in 2014, demonstrators stormed a key road next to Hong Kong’s government offices to protest against the proposed legislation.
The protesters gathered in and around Lung Wo Road, an important east-west artery near the offices of Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam, as hundreds of riot police warned them to stop advancing.
Five years after pro-democracy protesters rocked the city, protesters once again erected barricades to block traffic in the heart of the Asian financial centre, with many defying police calls to retreat.
Police used pepper spray on protesters- many wearing face masks, helmets or goggles – at the legislative council building and held up signs warning demonstrators they were prepared to use force if the crowds didn’t stop charging.
Demonstrators from across a wide spectrum of Hong Kong society began joining the overnight protesters earlier on Wednesday as businesses across the city prepared to go on strike.
