Hong Kong Police Commissioner Stephen Lo Wai-chung has declared clashes on June 12, 2019 to be a "riot". The declaration may have serious implications for anyone arrested in connection with the demonstration against the government’s controversial extradition bill. Rioting is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Lo also defended the police decision to use weapons to stop thousands of protesters who have surrounded the building, prompting lawmakers to delay a second reading of the bill.