Attack on HK legislature a 'political act' with 'hidden agenda'

Lawyers in Hong Kong joined on Wednesday the wide condemnation against the violent takeover of the city legislative chambers, saying in a statement that it "had crossed the line of freedom of expression and could be deemed a political act with a hidden agenda".

They called on the legal community to unite and send a clear message that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, a community that upholds the rule of law, will never tolerate violence.

The statement represented more than 135 members of the legal community, including Maria Tam Waichu, deputy director of the Basic Law Committee of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress. The statement was read by barrister and lawmaker Priscilla Leung Mei-fun in front of the council's building, which was besieged, occupied and defaced by radical protesters on Monday night.