Protesters occupy HK legislature building

Hundreds of protesters swarmed into Hong Kong’s legislature Monday night, defacing portraits of lawmakers and spray-painting prodemocracy slogans in the chamber before vacating it as riot police cleared surrounding streets with tear gas and then moved inside. The three-hour occupation, which ended early yesterday, came on the 22nd anniversary of the former British colony’s return to China, a city holiday, and reflected mounting frustration with Hong Kong’s leader. The protests were sparked by a government attempt to change extradition laws to allow suspects to be sent to China for trial. Police initially retreated as the protesters entered, avoiding a confrontation and giving them the run of the building. They then moved in to clear the building.