Pro-Beijing lawmaker, Starry Lee, seen sitting in the chairperson's seat surrounded by security, as others race to remove her.
Starry Lee, center, speaks as pan-democratic legislator Lam Cheuk-ting, right, scuffles with security guards.Democrat lawmakers responded by shouting,"Starry Lee, step down!" and holding placards reading"ultra vires," a Latin term for acting"beyond one’s powers."
The parliamentary meeting was suspended as security appeared and so members could be treated by medics. It is not clear what types of injuries had been sustained. Hong Kong, a former British colony, was returned to China in 1997 with a guarantee of its much-cherished freedoms, such as an independent judiciary, not enjoyed on the mainland. Beijing rejects criticism that it is seeking to erode those freedoms.
Hong Kong was shaken by clashes between police and pro-democracy protesters, which made global headlines last year. Brawls also broke out in the legislature last May over a proposed extradition law, which sparked the widespread protests and was later scrapped., including veteran politicians, a publishing tycoon and senior barristers, thrust the protest movement back into the spotlight and drew condemnation from Washington and international rights groups.
Social distancing amid the pandemic has largely put a brake on protests since January, but demonstrations are gaining ground once again and look likely to resume later this year.Adela Suliman is a London-based writer and reporter for NBC News Digital.
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