This is the highly symbolic moment protesters in Hong Kong took over the legislative chamber on July 1, spray painting slogans on walls and hoisting a pre-1997 British colonial-era flag.

These protests took place on the 22nd anniversary of the former British colony’s handover to China.

Protests in the Chinese-ruled Hong Kong have been escalating for five months over a controversial anti-extradition bill, since withdrawn.

But Beijing appears fed up with the unrest, which has affected the local economy, and is mulling tougher action.

HK protest:

Protesters in Hong Kong took over the legislative chamber on Monday (July 1), spray painting slogans on walls and hoisting a pre-1997 British colonial era flag.

On Thursday, local police began to make their first arrests after the storming of the parliament. At least 12 people were arrested on suspicion of trying to disrupt the ceremony marking the 22nd anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to Chinese rule.

Monday’s protests took place on the 22nd anniversary of the former British colony’s handover to China.