Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam forced to leave legislature amid jeering

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam was forced out of the legislature after the pro-democracy lawmakers constantly jeered at her during her annual address. The chief executive then had to deliver the speech through a video link to lay out the policy objectives. The hostile lawmakers were holding placards of Carrie Lam with blood on her hands. The lawmakers called Lam the ‘mother of the mafia police’. They also used a projector to display the key demands on the wall behind her.

Read: Hong Kong: Carrie Lam Cites Protests' Economic Threat, Addresses Parl

Failed in the second attempt

Carrie Lam came back after leaving the house and tried to deliver the speech. But the effort went in vain as the lawmakers continued shouting slogans and jeering at the chief executive. She had to leave the chamber again and decided to deliver the speech via a video link. During the address, Lam said, “People are asking: Will Hong Kong return to normal?” She also said that, “Continued violence and spread of hatred will erode the core values of Hong Kong.”

Read: Hong Kong Tells US Not To Interfere After Congress OKs Bills

Bills to support protesters

The US House of Representatives passed three bills to show support for the pro-democracy protesters. Carrie Lam expressed ‘disappointment and regret’ over the move, saying it will hurt the operations of American companies in the semi-autonomous region of China. “This Hong Kong human rights and democracy act is totally unjustified and unwarranted,” said Lam.

Read: Australia Wants Trade Deals With Hong Kong, Indonesia, Peru

'Puppet on strings'

After Lam moved out of the legislative council, pro-democracy legislators held a news conference outside the building. “She is just a puppet on strings, being played by Beijing,” said Claudia Mo, one of the protesting lawmakers. They also played the sound of wailing activists, during the police crackdown, on a loudspeaker.

“These are the voices of people screaming and they are just ordinary Hong Kong people,” said lawmaker Tanya Chan. “Please, please, please Mrs. Carrie Lam, don’t let us suffer any more,” she added. Calling for Lam’s resignation, Chan said, “This is the only way that we can have a good future.”

Read: US House Passes Bill To Support Hong Kong Protests, China Threatens

(With AP Inputs)