What Happened One day after protesters stormed Hong Kong's legislative council building, China’s central government condemned the actions of those who led the takeover. At an early morning press conference on July 2, after the activists, mostly young people, had been cleared from the building, Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam vowed to pursue those who committed violent actions. While Beijing expressed support for the Hong Kong government and police, it also called on them to restore order as soon as possible. Why It Matters The hourslong occupation of the Legislative Council Complex, coming after a day of peaceful demonstrations marking the 22nd anniversary of Hong Kong's handover by the United Kingdom, highlights the divisions between the city's more organized protest groups, which insist on nonviolent, less disruptive tactics, and student-led elements more willing to adopt radical tactics to sustain their demands.