Hong Kong: Protesters disrupt trains at Tiu Keng Leng station July 30 /update 37

Event

Dozens of protesters are currently preventing trains from departing from Tiu Keng Leng station as of 08:50 (local time) on Tuesday, July 30. According to local reports, a train on the Kwun Tong Line towards Whampoa has been blocked for over an hour. MTR officials have suspended service between Kwun Tong station and Tiue Keng Leng station and shuttle bus service is being arranged to replace trains. Significant transportation disruptions are expected in the coming hours. Some MTR employees are also planning to strike on Tuesday; however, it is unclear how many workers are participating in the work stoppage. 

Activists have also called upon civil servants in seven districts (Sha Tin, Tsuen Wan, Tuen Mun, Wong Tai Sin, Tai Po, Mong Kok, and Admiralty) to participate in a general strike beginning at 13:00 on Monday, August 5. The strike is intended to paralyze public transportation and draw attention to protesters' demands regarding the controversial extradition bill and recent police violence. Significant transportation disruptions are possible if the strike proceeds as planned.

Additional protests are planned over the coming weeks. Demonstrations are expected to be held in western Hong Kong Island and Tseung Kwan O on August 4, 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. A heightened security presence and transportation and business disruptions are to be expected near demonstration sites. 

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 The bill has been suspended, though not fully withdrawn.

Protests 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.

Advice

Individuals in Hong Kong are advised to monitor the situation, avoid all demonstrations, and anticipate transportation disruptions.