In the midst of the rush hour, Hong Kong democracy activists have provoked havoc with protest actions at subway stations. Black-clad demonstrators today stopped subways from continuing their journey, causing significant delays. The protest movement also called for a new general strike.
For the afternoon, pro-democracy students announced a demonstration. At the universities in the Chinese Special Administrative Region, lessons are supposed to start again after the summer break. However, students involved in the protest movement plan a two-week uniboycott.
Escalation on the weekend
In Hong Kong, there have been mass protests for more democracy and increasing influence from Beijing for three months now. The demonstrators fear an increasing curtailment of their greater civil liberties compared to mainland China.
The new protest at the subway stations followed a weekend marked by serious clashes between police and protesters. On Saturday, a rally had escalated as some demonstrators set fire to a barricade on a major road near Hong Kong’s police headquarters.
The police used tear gas, batons and water cannon with blue paint against the demonstrators. The human rights organization Amnesty International called for an investigation into police violence.
Airline Cathay Pacific warns employees
Yesterday, activists again blocked several traffic connections to the airport. At least a dozen flights were canceled. Hong Kong airline Cathay Pacific warned its employees to quit work in response to the protesters‘ call for a new general strike.
A general strike on 5 August, which nearly halted life in the otherwise bustling metropolis, was supported by the flight attendant union. Cathay Pacific has since terminated at least four employees to support the protest movement.
