More chaos in Hong Kong

Mayhem on the streets of 

Mong Kok

Tensions flare late at night after quieter day of protest in Hong Kong

• Bid to disrupt airport thwarted by pre-emptive police and government action, with worst violence seen late at night at Sha Tin MTR station
• Fewer people take to the streets, days after Carrie Lam says extradition bill will be withdrawn

SCMP

7 September, 2019

Fewer protesters turned out on the streets on Saturday, days after Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor announced the formal withdrawal of the extradition bill that sparked the worst unrest in the city in decades.

The increased security prevented the chaos seen last weekend, when protesters paralysed airport traffic and left hundreds of travellers stranded. 

That followed a separate demonstration in August, when protesters occupied the arrivals hall, causing the cancellation of more than 900 flights at one of the world’s busiest airports.

The Hong Kong Airport Authority has since obtained a court injunction to stop protests at the airport and restrict non-travellers from entering.

No tear gas was used and no petrol bombs were thrown at the start of the 14th weekend of anti-government protests, as the large-scale violence seen in previous weekends was avoided. But a handful of demonstrators were arrestedStrong pre-emptive police and government action snuffed out the protesters’ attempt to again besiege the Hong Kong International Airport. The MTR Corporation, the city’s main railway operator, closed Kowloon, Tsing Yi and AsiaWorld-Expo stations on the Airport Express line, leaving only Hong Kong station and the airport station open, with a heavy police presence at both.

Police also set up checkpoints on approach roads to the airport, even taking the unprecedented step of searching passengers’ bags on buses and trains.

The increased security prevented the chaos seen last weekend, when protesters paralysed airport traffic and left hundreds of travellers stranded. 

That followed a separate demonstration in August, when protesters occupied the arrivals hall, causing the cancellation of more than 900 flights at one of the world’s busiest airports.

The Hong Kong Airport Authority has since obtained a court injunction to stop protests at the airport and restrict non-travellers from entering.

On Saturday, with their attempt to disrupt the airport foiled, protesters shifted their focus to MTR stations and shopping malls owned by the railway operator. Dozens of protesters staged peaceful sit-ins at Citylink shopping mall in Sha Tin and Kowloon Bay’s Telford Plaza – both of which are run by the MTR – over the company’s allowing police to enter stations and make arrests during previous protests.

Some scuffles occurred at Tung Chung station, which was heavily vandalised last Sunday. But with riot police outnumbering the protesters this time, the crowd was quickly dispersed and at least four people were taken away by officers.

Riot police were on standby at Tung Chung station, where there were scuffles with protesters on Saturday. Photo: Felix WongRiot police were on standby at 

Fewer protesters turned out on the streets on Saturday, days after Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor announced the formal withdrawal of the extradition bill that sparked the worst unrest in the city in decades.

No tear gas was used and no petrol bombs were thrown at the start of the 14th weekend of anti-government protests, as the large-scale violence seen in previous weekends was avoided. But a handful of demonstrators were arrested.

Strong pre-emptive police and government action snuffed out the protesters’ attempt to again besiege the Hong Kong International Airport. The MTR Corporation, the city’s main railway operator, closed Kowloon, Tsing Yi and AsiaWorld-Expo stations on the Airport Express line, leaving only Hong Kong station and the airport station open, with a heavy police presence at both.

Police also set up checkpoints on approach roads to the airport, even taking the unprecedented step of searching passengers’ bags on buses and trains.

The increased security prevented the chaos seen last weekend, when protesters paralysed airport traffic and left hundreds of travellers stranded. 

That followed a separate demonstration in August, when protesters occupied the arrivals hall, causing the cancellation of more than 900 flights at one of the world’s busiest airports.

The Hong Kong Airport Authority has since obtained a court injunction to stop protests at the airport and restrict non-travellers from entering.

Some scuffles occurred at Tung Chung station, which was heavily vandalised last Sunday. But with riot police outnumbering the protesters this time, the crowd was quickly dispersed and at least four people were taken away by officers.

Prince Edward MTR station emerged as the focal point of the protests and it was closed in the afternoon when demonstrators started to gather. At least 200 people surrounded the station demanding the “truth” after rumours circulated that three – or some say six – protesters had been “executed” by police officers inside the station on August 31 and their bodies “whisked away”.

The government issued a strong denial, describing the rumours as “malicious”.

“It is deeply regrettable that such irresponsible rumours keep spreading with the ill intent to mislead general members of the public, and to sow division and discontent in society at a time when the government is sincerely trying to establish a dialogue platform,” a government statement said.

But the protesters were not convinced, with people placing candles, flowers and joss paper for the “victims” – although no one knew who they were.

Fewer protesters turned out on the streets on Saturday, days after Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor announced the formal withdrawal of the extradition bill that sparked the worst unrest in the city in decades.

No tear gas was used and no petrol bombs were thrown at the start of the 14th weekend of anti-government protests, as the large-scale violence seen in previous weekends was avoided. But a handful of demonstrators were arrested.

Strong pre-emptive police and government action snuffed out the protesters’ attempt to again besiege the Hong Kong International Airport. The MTR Corporation, the city’s main railway operator, closed Kowloon, Tsing Yi and AsiaWorld-Expo stations on the Airport Express line, leaving only Hong Kong station and the airport station open, with a heavy police presence at both.

Police also set up checkpoints on approach roads to the airport, even taking the unprecedented step of searching passengers’ bags on buses and trains.

The increased security prevented the chaos seen last weekend, when protesters paralysed airport traffic and left hundreds of travellers stranded. 

That followed a separate demonstration in August, when protesters occupied the arrivals hall, causing the cancellation of more than 900 flights at one of the world’s busiest airports.

The Hong Kong Airport Authority has since obtained a court injunction to stop protests at the airport and restrict non-travellers from entering.

On Saturday, with their attempt to disrupt the airport foiled, protesters shifted their focus to MTR stations and shopping malls owned by the railway operator. Dozens of protesters staged peaceful sit-ins at Citylink shopping mall in Sha Tin and Kowloon Bay’s Telford Plaza – both of which are run by the MTR – over the company’s allowing police to enter stations and make arrests during previous protests.

Some scuffles occurred at Tung Chung station, which was heavily vandalised last Sunday. But with riot police outnumbering the protesters this time, the crowd was quickly dispersed and at least four people were taken away by officers.

Prince Edward MTR station emerged as the focal point of the protests and it was closed in the afternoon when demonstrators started to gather. At least 200 people surrounded the station demanding the “truth” after rumours circulated that three – or some say six – protesters had been “executed” by police officers inside the station on August 31 and their bodies “whisked away”.

The government issued a strong denial, describing the rumours as “malicious”.

“It is deeply regrettable that such irresponsible rumours keep spreading with the ill intent to mislead general members of the public, and to sow division and discontent in society at a time when the government is sincerely trying to establish a dialogue platform,” a government statement said.

But the protesters were not convinced, with people placing candles, flowers and joss paper for the “victims” – although no one knew who they were.

Kelly Kan, 26, knelt in front of the funeral wreaths at the station for two hours. “We want to remind people of what happened here. So far there is no evidence or detailed account explaining what happened … but the number of people being sent to hospital just doesn’t add up,” Kan said.

Ten protesters were said to be injured during a clash with police inside Prince Edward station last Saturday, but only seven were confirmed to have been sent to hospital. The ambulance service later clarified that this was just a counting error, but the rumours that protesters had been killed began to swirl.

By nightfall on Saturday, protesters had gathered outside Mong Kok Police Station and were shining laser pointers at police officers, who unfurled banners warning them to disperse. The worst violence happened late in the evening inside Sha Tin MTR station, where a dozen protesters cornered police officers and attacked them with umbrellas and metal objects. The officers retreated into a control room as protesters tried to kick down the door, until the riot police arrived to rescue their colleagues.

But although tensions were again high at various stages of the evening, it was less tense than previous weekends overall, and the crowds were visibly smaller.

It followed Lam’s announcement on Wednesday that she would formally withdraw the extradition bill that would have allowed criminal suspects to be sent to the mainland for trial. Many protesters vowed to fight on until all five of their demands – which include the bill’s withdrawal and an independent inquiry into the police force’s handling of the unrest – were met.

But it remains to be seen whether a quieter Saturday signals the beginning of the end for Hong Kong’s three months of protests, or was just a lull.