Violence after HK rally clearly premeditated and planned

Both the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and law-abiding residents condemned the violence outside the Legislative Council building after Sunday's rally protesting the proposed amendments to the SAR's extradition laws.

Thanks to the efficiency of the police, Sunday's march was peaceful and orderly on the whole: a perfect demonstration of the city's tradition of pluralism and inclusiveness and its freedom of expression.

The violence happened after midnight, when masked individuals tried to storm the Legislative Council complex in Admiralty, which is situated next to the government headquarters - the march's destination. Although those who tried to force their way through police lines were repelled, eight police officers, a reporter and some of the rioters were injured in the process, some quite seriously.