12 injured in democracy clashes in Hong Kong

A protest over Beijing’s hard line on Hong Kong political reforms turned violent today when police began removing demonstrators gathered outside government headquarters, setting off a fight that injured 12 people.

Two men were arrested for allegedly attacking police in the confrontation. Just hours later, lawmakers in Beijing opened a meeting expected to issue a binding ruling on how Hong Kong selects its leader and legislature.

The demonstrators want Hong Kong people – who now only have a limited say in their government – to gain the right to choose their leader and all of the territory’s lawmakers.

Beijing appears unlikely to approve such changes.

More than 2,000 pro-democracy activists held a peaceful candlelight vigil last night, charging that China was violating Hong Kong’s autonomy and that the territory’s leader Tung Chee-hwa was blindly going along with it.

Some 400 people then rushed to the central government headquarters, and about 20 students forced their way into the grounds.

Security guards evicted the students early today, and police ordered remaining protesters outside the compound to disperse.

Five police officers and seven demonstrators suffered minor injuries in skirmishes. Two men were arrested, one for striking an officer and another for biting an officer.