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Bloomberg
Hong Kong protesters caused major disruptions to the city’s international airport on Sunday, massing outside the building in attempt to paralyse transport to and from the facility.
MTR Corp, operator of the city’s rail system, cancelled express trains to the airport, while demonstrators blocked buses from leaving the airport terminal. Protesters vandalised turnstiles at some of stations and sprayed graffiti on them.
Airport Authority Hong Kong obtained an injunction last month against people holding demonstrations there and a later one preventing them from blocking roads.
Sunday’s civil action followed a night of some of the worst violence in the city since the anti-China demonstrations began almost three months ago. Police arrested more than 50 people in running battles across Hong Kong, with tear gas and two warning shots fired by officers in a standoff with a crowd.
It’s the 13th straight weekend of historic political unrest in the Asian financial centre as rallies over a now-suspended bill to allow extraditions to China widened into a push for greater democracy.
The violence came after police denied permission for the mass rally and arrested several prominent pro-democracy activists, warning others could also be detained for taking part in unauthorised assemblies.
Some train stations remained shuttered on Sunday morning and subway services were interrupted, after riot police were called to a station because of a clash between protesters and other passengers. Police used batons and pepper spray on passengers.
Demonstrators also gathered outside the UK consulate on Sunday, many of them waving British flags.
The protest was called to press their demands that Britain confirm China has violated the Sino-British Joint Declaration by not granting democracy to Hong Kong; and that the UK grant full citizenship to British National (Overseas) passport holders.
Police arrested 40 for offences including participating in an unauthorised assembly, criminal damage and obstructing police officers, Senior Superintendent Yolanda Yu said at a press conference held in the early hours of Sunday morning.