Police cleared protesters from Hong Kong‘s legislative council building after hundreds stormed inside on Monday night, following a day of tense demonstrations marking the 22nd anniversary of the city’s handover from the UK to China.

Crowds spent hours battering their way into the legislature, which earlier this month had been scheduled to debate a controversial bill that would allow for criminal extradition to China.

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam has suspended the bill but has failed to withdraw it permanently despite weeks of protests asking for it to be permanently shelved.

Anger and frustration at her government, and her failure to step down, appeared to have boiled over as thousands swarmed into the legislative building, spray-painting walls and security cameras as they pushed into the main chamber.

Protesters hung a black banner in the chamber with the words “No rioters, only tyranny. Only rule by tyranny”, a reference to many protesters’s often stated belief that Beijing is an “authoritarian regime”.

Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Show all 40 1 /40 Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures An anti-extradition bill protester pour water on tear gas as they attend a march in Hong Kong Reuters Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Police restrain an angry passenger who tried to fight with protesters who interrupted subway services during the morning commute in Hong Kong on July 30 AP Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Protesters face off with police during the latest in a series of demonstrations against the controversial extradition bill in Hong Kong on July 28 AFP/Getty Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Protesters are seen in a stairwell after one is injured by police during the latest in a series of demonstrations against the controversial extradition bill in Hong Kong on July 28 Getty Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Riot police fire tear gas at protesters during the latest in a series of demonstrations against the controversial extradition bill in Hong Kong on July 28 EPA Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Two police officers are surrounded by protesters on a subway platform in Hong Kong on July 30 AP Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Police officers form a barricade during the latest in a series of demonstrations against the controversial extradition bill in Hong Kong on July 28 Reuters Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Protesters employ the help of road signs to form a barricade during the latest in a series of demonstrations against the controversial extradition bill in Hong Kong on July 28 Reuters Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures A medic is attended to after being injured by police during the latest in a series of demonstrations against the controversial extradition bill in Hong Kong on July 28 Getty Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Protesters are seen wearing helmets on a subway train in Hong Kong on July 30 Reuters Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Protesters smash glass doors and windows of the Legislative Council Complex in Hong Kong. Anti-extradition protesters broke into the the city's legislature and thousands more gathered to march in opposition to the city's China-backed government during the 22nd anniversary of Hong Kongs return to Chinese rule Getty Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Police fire tear gas at protesters near the government headquarters AFP/Getty Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures A protester defaces the Hong Kong emblem AFP/Getty Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Protesters try to break into the Legislative Council of Hong Kong during a protest on the 22nd anniversary of the handover of the territory to China from Britain on July 1 Reuters Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Black-clad riot police fired tear gas as they charged anti-government protesters in the early hours of the morning AFP/Getty Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures A general view of the main chamber after protesters break into the Legislative Council building EPA Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Protesters graffiti the Legislative Council Complex Getty Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Police fire tear gas at protesters near the government headquarters in Hong Kong on July 2, 2019. - Riot police fired tear gas as they attempted to dislodge anti-government protesters in the early hours of the morning of July 2 in chaotic scenes in the heart of Hong Kong. (Photo by Anthony WALLACE / AFP)ANTHONY WALLACE/AFP/Getty Images ANTHONY WALLACE AFP/Getty Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Inside the Legislative Council building EPA Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Protesters put up a sign AFP/Getty Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Members of the press take pictures of a protest banner that says 'there are no violent people, only violent governance' EPA Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Protesters storm the Legislative Council building during a protest in Hong Kong on July 1 Reuters Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures A protester forces their way through a window into the Legislative Council building in Hong Kong on July 1 Reuters Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Police officers look out from behind windows damaged by protesters in the entrance to the Legislative Council in Hong on July 1 AFP/Getty Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Police officers stand guard behind the entrance to the Legislative Council in Hong Kong as protesters try to force entry. One officer holds a sign that reads: "Stop charging or we use force" EPA Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Protesters storm the Legislative Council building during a protest in Hong Kong on July 1 Reuters Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Protesters wield makeshift shields during a clash with police on the 22nd anniversary of the territory's handover to China from Britain on July 1 Getty Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Protesters holding umbrellas face-off against riot police in Hong Kong on July 1 AP Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Protesters smash a window of the Legislative Council building in Hong Kong on July 1 AFP/Getty Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures A protester wielding a makeshift shield looks back at the damage caused to the Legislative Council building in Hong Kong on July 1 Reuters Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Protesters gather to take part in the annual pro-democracy rally that is held in Hong Kong on the anniversary of the handover of the territory from Britain to China on July 1 AFP/Getty Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Police officers use force in an attempt to disperse protesters during a protest in Hong Kong on the 22nd anniversary of the handover of the territory from Britain to China on July 1 Reuters Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Anti-extradition bill protesters stand behind a barricade near the Legislative Council of Hong Kong on July 1 Reuters Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Police officers look out from behind windows damaged by protesters in the entrance to the Legislative Council in Hong on July 1 AFP/Getty Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Protesters try to break into the Legislative Council of Hong Kong during a protest on the 22nd anniversary of the handover of the territory to China from Britain on July 1 Reuters Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Protesters rest outside the Legislative Council in Hong Kong on July 1 EPA Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures A protester shouts in front of police outside the Legislative Council in Hong Kong on July 1 AFP/Getty Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures A group of anti-extradition bill protesters holding umbrellas gather outside the government headquarters in Hong Kong on July 1 AFP/Getty Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures A protester waves a black version of the Hong Kong flag outside of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong on July 1 Getty Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Anti-extradition bill protesters march in Hong Kong on the anniversary of the territory's handover to China on July 1 Reuters

They also took down China’s red flag and replaced it with a black flag featuring the Bauhinia flower, a variation of Hong Kong’s national flag. Other groups could also be seen waving British colonial flags.

“Despite the building being deserted by the police, protesters were going out of their way to deface every surface with graffiti, and smash every remaining panel of glass,” said one participant, who asked not to be named but live-streamed the protest under the Twitter handle @HongKongHermit.

“It was an outpouring of anger, but righteous anger, and they took pleasure in their work.”

Earlier the government issued a red alert for the legislative complex, with all staff evacuated from inside the building. Hong Kong’s police force ”severely condemned the violent attack” and warned that it would use appropriate force to disperse the crowds.

Officers in full riot gear clashed with protesters shortly after midnight. Police used several canisters of tear gas and pepper spray as demonstrators fled.

A protester defaces the Hong Kong emblem after protesters broke into the government headquarters in Hong Kong (AFP/Getty Images)

The legislative building has since been cleared.

Carrie Lam condemned the violence at a press conference held in the early hours of Tuesday.

“This is something we should seriously condemn,” the defiant leader said. “Nothing is more important than the rule of law in Hong Kong.”

Standing outside Hong Kong’s police headquarters, Ms Lam claimed police officers had shown restraint when dealing with the latest wave of protests.

Ms Lam described Monday’s events “heartbreaking and shocking” and said she hoped society would “return to normal as soon as possible,”

But public sentiment is against the embattled leader.

“I think the most important thing is the government didn’t respond to any of our requirements,” said a protester who asked to be identified only by his surname Chan.

Aftermath of protesters storming Hong Kong government HQ: In pictures Show all 15 1 /15 Aftermath of protesters storming Hong Kong government HQ: In pictures Aftermath of protesters storming Hong Kong government HQ: In pictures The lobby of the Legislative Council building in Hong Kong is seen covered in graffiti after it was stormed by protesters Getty Aftermath of protesters storming Hong Kong government HQ: In pictures Police officers stand guard at the Legislative Council building in Hong Kong after it was stormed by protesters EPA Aftermath of protesters storming Hong Kong government HQ: In pictures The colonial flag of Hong Kong hangs in the chamber of the Legislative Council after protesters stormed the building Reuters Aftermath of protesters storming Hong Kong government HQ: In pictures Police officers are seen behind cracked glass panels that were damaged by protesters trying to ram their way into the Legislative Council building EPA Aftermath of protesters storming Hong Kong government HQ: In pictures Shattered glass is seen on the outside wall of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong after protesters smashed their way in the building AP Aftermath of protesters storming Hong Kong government HQ: In pictures Riot police patrol the Legislative Council building in Hong Kong after it was stormed by protesters Getty Aftermath of protesters storming Hong Kong government HQ: In pictures Police officers inspect damage to the Legislative Council building in Hong Kong after it was stormed by protesters AFP/Getty Aftermath of protesters storming Hong Kong government HQ: In pictures A caricature of Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam is pasted on a pillar outside of the Legislative Council after protesters broke into the building Reuters Aftermath of protesters storming Hong Kong government HQ: In pictures Graffiti is seen in the chamber of the Legislative Council in Hong Kong after protesters stormed the building Getty Aftermath of protesters storming Hong Kong government HQ: In pictures Abandoned placards and litter is seen outside the Legislative Council building in Hong Kong after a protest on July 1 EPA Aftermath of protesters storming Hong Kong government HQ: In pictures A painting hung i the Legislative Council in Hong Kong is covered in graffiti after protesters stormed the building Getty Aftermath of protesters storming Hong Kong government HQ: In pictures A lift in the Legislative Council building is seen covered in graffiti and litter after protesters stormed the building Getty Aftermath of protesters storming Hong Kong government HQ: In pictures The chamber of the Legislative Council in Hong Kong after protesters stormed the building Getty Aftermath of protesters storming Hong Kong government HQ: In pictures A desk in the chamber of the Legislative Council in Hong Kong is covered in graffiti after protesters stormed the building AFP/Getty Aftermath of protesters storming Hong Kong government HQ: In pictures An area inside the Legislative Council building complex is strewn with litter and smashed glass after it was stormed by protesters Getty

“They just keep delaying the law. We also have [seen] a lot of violence from the police so this is why the [protesters] are very angry.”

Half a million families, young children and the elderly marched down major roadways in a more peaceful demonstration organised by the Civil Human Rights Front, the group said late Monday.

From early morning until well past dark, thousands more occupied major roadways near the government complex as young protesters attempted to stop a flag raising ceremony before they were forcefully pushed back by riot police.

Jeremy Hunt, the foreign secretary and Tory leadership hopeful, said that while violence was not acceptable, Hong Kong “Must preserve right to peaceful protest exercised within the law.”

While their tactics varied, demonstrators are concerned at what the bill would mean for the future of Hong Kong and the city’s unique freedoms and civil rights that make it unique from mainland China.

Protesters have said they mistrust the mainland’s legal system, where many have watched political dissidents and human rights lawyers stand trial or disappear for years on end.

It’s not about more rights, it’s to sustain what we already have Kimberly Wong, protester

“Under this particular bill you can be spirited away, deported to China where it’s all done behind closed doors and there’s no transparency,” said Kimberly Wong, who participated in the mass march.

Ms Wong said many Hong Kong residents feared they would lose their civil rights before 2047, when the 50-year period of autonomy promised to the former British colony comes to an end.

“It’s not about more rights, it’s to sustain what we already have.”

While the marches have been organised by Civil Human Rights Front, a coalition of various political groups and causes, the anti-extradition protest movement has been leaderless in contrast to 2014’s democracy protests.

Most protesters have instead relied on message boards and apps like Telegram to vote protest suggestions up and down, from small scale gatherings intended to disrupt the train system on weekdays to the kinds of mass rallies seen outside the legislature, according to protester Susan Wong.

“We have a forum … like Reddit or Twitter that people post different tactics on and if you agree with tactics you like or you comment on it, like it, and push it to the front,” Ms Wong said.

“We [decide] on what tactic we will used based on popularity of post.”