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The "sit-in" organized since this weekend at Hong Kong International Airport did not please Beijing. But this Monday, August 12, it is no longer a small gathering. Thousands of demonstrators found themselves there. They denounced the latest police violence. The flights are canceled for the day, and the company Cathay Pacific reminds its teams that supporting or participating in the revolt can lead to dismissal.
The station train is immobilized. There is no bus, no taxi, no internet, according to our special correspondent at the Hong Kong airport, Christophe Paget . An immense crowd, gigantic, a human tide swept on site this Monday.
The participants are particularly reminded of police violence, in the name of a young woman whose image is reflected on all media and social networks. Many young people wear a blindfold in his homage.
Since Sunday night, protesters accused the police of shooting him in the face. On many signs, we see it bloody. From hospital source, she would have a broken eye and fractured jaw.
On the sign of a protester, you can read " eye for an eye ". The latter confirms to RFI that he is ready to fight back, but rather with his freedom of expression, of speech. " We do not have a weapon, " adds the young man.
A girl, I think it was a first aid, the police shot her in the eye. I think she's blind now, right eye. And we are here for her. On my sign, it is marked "an eye for an eye". Because it's not normal, and we have to fight. It is true that we can not literally answer, we can only be there and say what we have to say. We do not have a weapon, we just have our freedom to say what we want and why we fight. This event we are doing at the airport to tell what is going on here in the world. In fact, I think it's the most important building in Hong Kong
Lo is a student, he explains why he went to Hong Kong airport 12/08/2019 - by Christophe Paget Play
In the ranks circulate rumors of intervention of the police. A good number of protesters have already left on foot but some have decided to stay. " People need to know that the Hong Kong police are too violent. "
RFI / Christophe Paget
RFI / Christophe Paget
RFI / Christophe Paget
RFI / Christophe Paget
RFI / Christophe Paget
RFI / Christophe Paget
RFI / Christophe Paget
RFI / Christophe Paget
All flights of the day have been canceled in Hong Kong
The Hong Kong airport authorities announced on Monday that flights to and from the Special Administrative Region would not be insured because of the protest in the main lobby, which is already busy this weekend.
" With the exception of departing departing flights and arriving flights that are already en route to Hong Kong, all other flights have been canceled for the remainder of the day, " reads in a statement.
In 2018, Hong Kong Airport was the eighth busiest in the world, with 74 million passengers. Since Friday, protesters, mostly dressed in black, are massed to educate foreign visitors to their cause.
They sing, proclaim slogans and distribute leaflets explaining the meaning of pro-democracy demonstrations and hostile to the extradition bill they have been organizing in the city for months.
The authorities report that airport operations " were severely disrupted by public gatherings " on Monday. According to them, the traffic to the airport was " very crowded " and the car parks were full.
Hong Kong group Cathay Pacific pressurized by Beijing
Hong Kong airline Cathay Pacific is under more pressure than ever before. His management has reassured his employees that they could be fired if they " support or participate in illegal demonstrations " in Hong Kong.
" Cathay Pacific has a policy of zero tolerance for illegal activities ," warns company CEO Rupert Hogg in a message to staff, promising " disciplinary consequences ."
" These consequences can be serious and involve the termination of the employment contract ", because in his eyes, " actions and words of our employees outside working hours can have a significant impact on society ."
Friday, the General Directorate of Civil Aviation in China had asked this group, founded by Anglo-Saxons during the British colonization, to send him the names of staff on board its flights through the continent.
Beijing had said that employees supporting the sling against the extradition bill would not be allowed on flights to China or through its airspace. The management had folded.
Chinese central power goes up a notch and talks about terrorism
The mobilization born two months ago in Hong Kong is for Beijing the biggest challenge since the surrender of this territory by London in 1997. And Cathay, whose two employees were sacked Saturday, is propelled on the front line.
The media of the former colony of His Majesty think that it is in connection with the movement. The two fugitives would be accused of fleeing the details of the itinerary of a football team of the Hong Kong police.
Cathay Pacific is in a delicate position, especially since the media also reported that a third employee, a pilot, had been charged with participating in a rally that escalated. The latter was suspended.
The flight crew union is also targeted. Last Monday, he supported the general strike in Hong Kong, lamenting the government's " ignoring the demands " and being violent.
After comparing the movement to " color revolutions " to discredit it, China's central government passed a milestone Monday in rhetoric, speaking of " terrorism " after Sunday's new clashes.