This archive report was first published on 9 August 2019.
Hong Kong Protesters Occupy Airport, Defying Government Warnings ¶
On Friday, hundreds of black-clad antigovernment protesters began a demonstration at Hong Kong's international airport, targeting a global transit hub and the city's reputation for order and efficiency.
The protest, which started in the early afternoon, was planned to last through Sunday, coinciding with Hong Kong's worst political crisis since the British handed the former colony back to China in 1997.
Less than a week after protests and a general strike caused chaos in the city, resulting in 148 arrests, mainland Chinese officials issued stern warnings to protesters about the risks of continuing their campaign for political reforms.
The movement, which began in opposition to a bill that would have allowed extraditions to the mainland, has since expanded to include demands for greater democracy, an independent inquiry into police misconduct, and the resignation of the territory's embattled chief executive, Carrie Lam.
Despite the government's suspension of the contentious extradition bill in early June, protesters are demanding a complete withdrawal of it.
As the stakes are high this weekend, the protesters have not applied for permission to hold the airport demonstration, making it an illegal assembly.
However, several protesters, including employees of Hong Kong's flagship carrier, Cathay Pacific Airways, stressed that the demonstration was meant to be nonviolent, aiming to maintain the movement's momentum.
The airport, which handled nearly 75 million passengers last year, making it the world's eighth busiest for passengers, has become a symbol of Hong Kong's international image.
Several other antigovernment demonstrations are planned for this weekend around Hong Kong, including a family-friendly rally in the central business district and three planned marches elsewhere.
On Wednesday, the United States joined several other countries in issuing a warning to its citizens about traveling to Hong Kong, advising them to 'exercise increased caution' due to recent 'confrontational' protests.
