Manipulated protests harming Hong Kong

The celebrations to mark the 22nd anniversary of the founding of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region as well as its image as Asia's World City were marred by a large mob of anti-government protestors who stormed and vandalized the Legislative Council complex in Admiralty.

It was a watershed moment for the SAR, as it let the world see who is upholding the rule of law and other core values of Hong Kong society and who is trying to undermine them.

But as well as the shocking rampage on Monday, in which a roused rabble broke into Hong Kong's legislature and defaced the portraits of lawmakers and spray-painted slogans in the chamber, the marked silence of Hong Kong's opposition lawmakers has also outraged many in Hong Kong who expected them to at least publicly condemn the appalling display of lawlessness and wanton destruction.