Annual march on Hong Kong handover anniversary diverted amid anti-extradition bill violence

Tens of thousands of people are taking part in an annual march in Hong Kong on the anniversary of the former British colony’s 1997 handover to Chinese sovereignty. 

The size of the demonstration on July 1, 2019, swelled amid anger about a contentious government extradition bill, which also sparked violence earlier in the day. 

This year’s march started in Victoria Park as planned, but organisers changed its destination to Chater Road rather than the Hong Kong Legislative Complex.

The building has been the scene of violent clashes throughout the day as police tried to stop another group of protesters from smashing into the government headquarters complex.

Earlier in the day, protesters also tried to disrupt an official ceremony marking the handover.