Thousands of pro-democracy protesters effectively shut down Hong Kong International Airport on Monday, the fourth day they have occupied one of the world’s busiest airports as part of the mass demonstrations—against police brutality and a controversial extradition bill—that have rattled Hong Kong since June.
The protests were initially spurred by a bill that, NPR explained, “would have allowed people in Hong Kong to be sent to mainland China to face trials in courts controlled by the Communist Party, sparking fears of politically motivated prosecutions targeting outspoken critics of China.” Although Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam quickly suspended the measure and later declared it “dead,” demonstrators continue to demand its full withdrawal and Lam’s resignation.
Monday, in what the South China Morning Post called an “unprecedented disruption,” outgoing flights at the airport were cancelled from 4pm local time onward. Since Friday, protesters at the airport have carried signs that read “Hong Kong is not safe,” “HK police are killing us,” and “Sorry for the inconvenience. We are fighting for the future of our home.” Some have donned eye patches to draw attention to a female who could lose her eye after reportedly being shot with a beanbag round fired by police during demonstrations in Tsim Sha Tsui Sunday.
A 38-year-old businessman who joined the airport protest, wearing a makeshift eye patch, told the Hong Kong-based newspaper that local police have “buried their humanity.” Holding back tears, he said: “A girl who came out for Hongkongers lost her eye… My heart aches.”