HONG KONG, Aug 9, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Hundreds of pro-democracy activists,
some wearing face masks and helmets, staged a sit-in at Hong Kong’s airport
on Friday hoping to win support from international visitors for their
movement.
“No rioters, only tyranny,” the demonstrators chanted as they began a
three-day action — the latest in a string of protests that have rocked the
international financial hub for more than two months.
Activists, some dressed in the movement’s signature black, sat on the floor
in the airport’s arrivals hall and held up signs in Chinese and English
condemning police violence. “Save Hong Kong from tyranny and police
brutality!” read one sign on a piece of cardboard.
“Ask me about Hong Kong” read signs in different languages attached to the
sleeves of some of the approximately 1,000 people participating.
“We want to let more people know about what’s happening in Hong Kong,”
said one protester, who asked to be identified only by her surname Choi.
– ‘This is very important’ –
The protests began two months ago in response to a controversial bill to
allow extraditions to mainland China, but have morphed into a broader
movement urging authorities to reverse a slide in democratic freedoms.
Protesters also want direct election of the city’s leader and an
investigation into alleged police brutality towards demonstrators.
The government has suspended the extradition bill, but failed to fully
withdraw it, and demonstrations have become increasingly violent in recent
weeks. Hundreds of people have been arrested.
“We want the government to withdraw the bill and set up an independent
inquiry commission,” said Choi.
“I also want to be here to support those who were arrested because our
goals are the same.”
The three-day airport rally was promoted online with a mock boarding pass
reading “HK to freedom” and “warm pick-up to guests to HK”.
Passengers arriving at the airport appeared confused as they came into the
hall to see the sit-in, with some stopping to take photos or look at leaflets
being handed out by the demonstrators.
Clara Boudehen, visiting from France, said she was “very impressed” by the
rally.
“I think this is very important,” she said.
“Our democracy is not absolute, we have to fight for it… To see the
population fight for democracy is very important.”
The airport sit-ins have not been authorised, but a previous demonstration
at the transport hub passed off peacefully without disrupting flights.
– New weekend protests planned –
As the protest movement has expanded, demonstrators have staged rallies
across Hong Kong, attracting families, older people, civil servants and
lawyers.
They have announced a series of marches and protests across the city over
the weekend as they work to keep momentum alive and demonstrate continued
support for their goals.
Extra security measures were put in place at the airport for the rallies,
with authorities preventing anyone without a boarding pass from entering the
check-in area.
Hong Kong’s Airport Authority said Thursday it was aware of the planned
rallies but that “the airport will operate normally.”
Thousands of Hong Kongers, including flight attendants, rallied at the
airport on July 26 to “educate” visitors about the protests that have gripped
the international finance hub.
Visitors were greeted by a sea of black-clad protesters chanting anti-
government slogans, holding banners and handing out flyers — the information
desk plastered in a tapestry of colourful sticky notes.
The weeks of demonstrations pose the biggest threat to Beijing’s authority
since Hong Kong’s handover from the British in 1997.
And as protests have become increasingly violent, several countries have
upgraded their travel warnings for Hong Kong, with Washington this week
urging its citizens to “exercise increased caution.