HK protesters target airport as city mops up
AFP, Hong Kong
Hundreds of Hong Kong pro-democracy activists blocked some routes to the citys airport yesterday as the financial hub began cleaning up after another night of violent protests marked by fires, tear gas and police beatings.
Operators of the Airport Express train said it suspended services on Sunday afternoon, while black-clad protestershiding from CCTV cameras under umbrellasbuilt barricades at the airport bus station and attempted to stop traffic on the main road leading to terminals.
Outside one terminal at the international hub, protesters set off fire extinguishers, piled luggage trolleys into makeshift road barricades and smashed surveillance cameras.
Hong Kong police said they were poised to launch a dispersal operation, and in a Facebook post warned protesters to leave the airport area immediately.
Flights had so far not been disrupted, but some passengers were left bewildered by the chaotic scenes.
I want to go into the airport to find my sister, but I couldnt get in, Indonesian domestic helper Samirah told AFP.
The airport is covered by an injunction banning protesters from entering, imposed after a shutdown in August which ended in ugly clashes. But protesters have routinely ignored legal moves to ban their actions since the anti-government movement sprang to life three months ago.
The protests were sparked by an attempt by Hong Kongs Beijing-backed government to pass a now-shelved extradition bill, but have expanded into a wider pro-democracy push.
On Sunday, city sanitation workers were seen clearing debris and removing graffiti after a night of pitched battles between protesters and police.
