Advertisement
U.S. markets closed
  • S&P 500

    5,254.35
    +5.86 (+0.11%)
     
  • Dow 30

    39,807.37
    +47.29 (+0.12%)
     
  • Nasdaq

    16,379.46
    -20.06 (-0.12%)
     
  • Russell 2000

    2,124.55
    +10.20 (+0.48%)
     
  • Crude Oil

    83.11
    +1.76 (+2.16%)
     
  • Gold

    2,254.80
    +42.10 (+1.90%)
     
  • Silver

    25.10
    +0.18 (+0.74%)
     
  • EUR/USD

    1.0793
    -0.0036 (-0.33%)
     
  • 10-Yr Bond

    4.2060
    +0.0100 (+0.24%)
     
  • GBP/USD

    1.2624
    -0.0014 (-0.11%)
     
  • USD/JPY

    151.4010
    +0.1550 (+0.10%)
     
  • Bitcoin USD

    70,862.20
    +1,588.68 (+2.29%)
     
  • CMC Crypto 200

    885.54
    0.00 (0.00%)
     
  • FTSE 100

    7,952.62
    +20.64 (+0.26%)
     
  • Nikkei 225

    40,168.07
    -594.66 (-1.46%)
     

Photos: Hong Kong protesters paralyzed the city’s transport

Protesters brought Hong Kong to a standstill today (Aug. 5) as they waged a major citywide general strike in the latest escalation of their nine-week-long protest movement.

As the weekend of guerrilla protests across different districts of the city gave way to the start of the regular work week, protesters coordinated actions to paralyze train lines and block roads. Train service was disrupted across all major lines as protesters prevented train doors from closing and occupied platforms. Multiple attempts were made to temporarily block vehicular traffic at the Cross-Harbour Tunnel, a major link between Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula. Some even drove in endless circles at a roundabout. Tensions flared at various points as frustrated commuters criticized protesters for the chaos, and at least one car was seen driving through barricades put up by demonstrators.

Some 14,000 workers across 20 sectors were expected to take part in one of the largest strikes in decades, as protesters step up their campaign of civil disobedience in their bid to pressure the local government to address their demands. The protests began in opposition to an extradition bill, but have since evolved to include calls for greater democracy as well as an investigation into alleged police brutality. So far, the government has only agreed to suspend the bill indefinitely.

The Hong Kong International Airport—one of the busiest in the world—saw more than 230 flights cancelled, according to its website, and only one of two runways was in operation. The disruption comes as a group of air traffic controllers yesterday (Aug. 4) issued a statement appealing to all Hong Kongers, “especially those working in the aviation industry, to unite and participate in the massive city-wide strike.” Some 2,000 Cathay Pacific employees and another 510 from Hong Kong Airlines are reported to have called in sick today, alongside hundreds of ground staff and maintenance workers, according to local media (link in Chinese). Airport Express, the train link connecting the airport to downtown, also saw a temporary suspension of service followed by major delays.

Chief executive Carrie Lam addressed the public this morning, her first time doing so in two weeks. She condemned radical and violent protesters for fomenting revolution and seeking to destroy Hong Kong, and chastised the strikers for disrupting traffic. She offered no political solution to resolve the crisis, other than a promise of daily press briefings by the police force. As she spoke, the benchmark Hang Seng Index sank further still, shaving almost 3% by lunch time.

A diverse groups of workers joined today’s strike, including a major travel agency, cast members from Hong Kong Disneyland, and medical staff. Seven rallies are scheduled to be held across Hong Kong throughout the afternoon.

Protesters sit on a platform at Fortress Hill MTR station in Hong Kong, Aug. 5, 2019.

Workers comfort a pregnant woman as protesters disrupt subway service at Fortress Hill MTR station in Hong Kong, Aug. 5, 2019.

A man falls down during a protest to prevent commuters from reaching work in business districts at Lai King MTR station in Hong Kong on Aug. 5, 2019.

Protesters use umbrellas to shield themselves during a protest to prevent commuters from reaching work at Lai King MTR station in Hong Kong on Aug. 5, 2019.

A commuter argues with a protester as a train is stalled during disruption of subway services by protesters, in Hong Kong, Aug. 5, 2019.

Protesters stand at a door of a subway train to disrupt its service at Fortress Hill station in Hong Kong, Aug. 5, 2019.

Passengers shout at protesters for disrupting subway train services at Fortress Hill station in Hong Kong, Aug. 5, 2019.

Subway personnel try to prevent a protester from blocking the door of a train as protesters disrupt services at Fortress Hill station in Hong Kong, Aug. 5, 2019.

A passenger sits in a stalled train during a disruption of subway services by protesters at Fortress Hill station in Hong Kong, Aug. 5, 2019.

Hong Kong police intervene after protesters blocked the Cross Harbour Tunnel in Hong Kong, Aug. 5, 2019.

Protesters use barricades to block the road at the Cross Harbour Tunnel in Hong Kong, Aug. 5, 2019.

 

Sign up for the Quartz Daily Brief, our free daily newsletter with the world’s most important and interesting news.

More stories from Quartz:

Advertisement