Hong Kong: March in Hong Kong Island August 7 /update 46

Event

Employees in the legal sector have called for a march in Hong Kong Island on Wednesday, August 7, to demand independent and fair prosecution and an independent commission of inquiry. Participants plan to meet at 12:30 (local time) at the Court of Final Appeal and then march to the Department of Justice via the Justice Palace.

Tens of thousands of people participated in several protests throughout Hong Kong on Monday, August 5. Police forces clashed with demonstrators in multiple locations, using tear gas to disperse them and arresting at least 82 people. Local media outlets also reported several street brawls between protesters and unidentified assailants. Hospital authorities have said that as of 07:00 on Tuesday, August 6, at least 41 people were injured in the previous day's protests.

A general strike on August 5 led to the cancelation of at least 220 flights to and from Hong Kong International Airport (HKG). Several MTR lines halted services in participation of the work stoppage, including the Tsuen Wan, East Rail, and Tseung Kwan O lines. A heightened security presence, residual delays, and further transportation disruptions are also expected in the coming hours and days, particularly near protest sites. Further clashes between police forces and protesters cannot be ruled out.

Additional protests are planned over the coming weeks. Demonstrations are expected to be held in Wong Tai Sin and Tai Po on August 10, Sham Shui Po and eastern Hong Kong Island on August 11, Hung Hom and To Kwa Wan on August 17, and Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing on August 18.

Context

Protests and mass demonstrations of up to 2 million people have been held since June 9, in opposition to a controversial bill that would allow Hong Kong to extradite fugitives wanted in mainland China and other territories. Opponents claim the law would erode freedoms and be used to silence dissent and criticism. The bill has been suspended, though not fully withdrawn.

The demonstrations have spread from Hong Kong Island to Kowloon and the New Territories in recent weeks and have also become increasingly violent. On July 14, clashes between police and protesters in a Sha Tin shopping mall left 22 people hospitalized. On July 21, a group of pro-government men armed with bars and sticks attacked protesters and commuters in Yuen Long, leaving 45 people injured. On July 27-28, police used rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse protesters, marking another escalation in violence. Unidentified assailants reportedly fired fireworks at protesters in Tin Shui Wai on July 30. Protesters destroyed several vehicles and set a fire outside a police station in Tsim Sha Tsui on August 3, leading to violent clashes between police forces and protesters late into the night. Police used tear gas against protesters and arrested at least 20 of them.

Advice

Individuals in Hong Kong are advised to monitor the situation, avoid all demonstrations, confirm flight reservations prior to leaving for the airport, and anticipate transportation and business disruptions.