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| Hong Kong Protests: Spreading Clashes Paralyze City | |
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| Riot police officers fired many volleys of tear gas at protesters near government offices, apartment complexes, shopping malls and parks across Hong Kong on Monday, as clashes with demonstrators plunged a broad stretch of the territory into chaos. | Riot police officers fired many volleys of tear gas at protesters near government offices, apartment complexes, shopping malls and parks across Hong Kong on Monday, as clashes with demonstrators plunged a broad stretch of the territory into chaos. |
| Antigovernment demonstrators fanned out across at least a half-dozen districts, occupying roads and hurling objects at police stations as they tested the limits of the police force. They set a fire outside a police station in Sha Tin, in the New Territories region of northern Hong Kong, that quickly swelled until flames licked the sides of the building. Firefighters extinguished the blaze. | Antigovernment demonstrators fanned out across at least a half-dozen districts, occupying roads and hurling objects at police stations as they tested the limits of the police force. They set a fire outside a police station in Sha Tin, in the New Territories region of northern Hong Kong, that quickly swelled until flames licked the sides of the building. Firefighters extinguished the blaze. |
| Activists called for a general strike and rallies on Monday, leading to service disruptions on several subway and rail lines and the cancellation of more than 200 flights from the city’s airport. | Activists called for a general strike and rallies on Monday, leading to service disruptions on several subway and rail lines and the cancellation of more than 200 flights from the city’s airport. |
| The officers arrested dozens of people, pinning some to the ground, and fired multiple rounds of tear gas, filling the air with white, acrid fumes. Local news outlets said that the riot officers also shot off rubber bullets. | The officers arrested dozens of people, pinning some to the ground, and fired multiple rounds of tear gas, filling the air with white, acrid fumes. Local news outlets said that the riot officers also shot off rubber bullets. |
| The clashes on Monday were particularly widespread, even by the standards of the unrest that has roiled the city almost every weekend since early June. The clashes encompassed several districts where clashes had occurred in recent days and weeks, including several working-class neighborhoods, a shopping mall that is popular with mainland tourists, and a highway near the Hong Kong legislature. But the protests also ventured into other areas, including a town in Hong Kong’s northern reaches that had not previously been the site of any violence. | The clashes on Monday were particularly widespread, even by the standards of the unrest that has roiled the city almost every weekend since early June. The clashes encompassed several districts where clashes had occurred in recent days and weeks, including several working-class neighborhoods, a shopping mall that is popular with mainland tourists, and a highway near the Hong Kong legislature. But the protests also ventured into other areas, including a town in Hong Kong’s northern reaches that had not previously been the site of any violence. |
| The police have repeatedly defended their use of tear gas, saying it is deployed only to disperse demonstrators who gather illegally or vandalize property. They have urged residents to stay indoors and keep their windows closed during such crackdowns. | The police have repeatedly defended their use of tear gas, saying it is deployed only to disperse demonstrators who gather illegally or vandalize property. They have urged residents to stay indoors and keep their windows closed during such crackdowns. |
| But protesters and their supporters say the police are using tear gas indiscriminately. Many have raised questions about how the spraying of tear gas in dense urban areas might affect the health of vulnerable residents, such as pregnant women and old people. | But protesters and their supporters say the police are using tear gas indiscriminately. Many have raised questions about how the spraying of tear gas in dense urban areas might affect the health of vulnerable residents, such as pregnant women and old people. |
| [A general strike has disrupted transit and led to canceled flights.] | [A general strike has disrupted transit and led to canceled flights.] |
| The mass demonstrations started in early June over an unpopular extradition bill, but the protesters’ demands quickly expanded to include calls for an independent commission to investigate alleged police misconduct, for the resignation of the city’s top leader and for the release of detained protesters. | The mass demonstrations started in early June over an unpopular extradition bill, but the protesters’ demands quickly expanded to include calls for an independent commission to investigate alleged police misconduct, for the resignation of the city’s top leader and for the release of detained protesters. |
| The protesters have also increasingly called for greater democracy in the territory — a reflection of pent-up anger and frustration with the rapid erosion of civil liberties in Hong Kong under Chinese rule. There is a widespread perception that the territory’s political elite is more beholden to Beijing than to local residents. | The protesters have also increasingly called for greater democracy in the territory — a reflection of pent-up anger and frustration with the rapid erosion of civil liberties in Hong Kong under Chinese rule. There is a widespread perception that the territory’s political elite is more beholden to Beijing than to local residents. |
| Separately, video footage circulating Monday morning appeared to show a van breaking through a barricade that protesters had set up on a road in the satellite town of Yuen Long, where a mob attacked protesters last month. | Separately, video footage circulating Monday morning appeared to show a van breaking through a barricade that protesters had set up on a road in the satellite town of Yuen Long, where a mob attacked protesters last month. |
| As the vehicle drove through, it scattered the crowd and appeared to hit at least one protester. | As the vehicle drove through, it scattered the crowd and appeared to hit at least one protester. |
| Late Monday, a large group of men armed with long sticks attacked the protesters in the eastern district of North Point, local news outlets reported. Earlier, the protesters had warned in chat groups about the presence of the mob. | Late Monday, a large group of men armed with long sticks attacked the protesters in the eastern district of North Point, local news outlets reported. Earlier, the protesters had warned in chat groups about the presence of the mob. |
| The embattled chief executive of Hong Kong warned that the antigovernment protests that have roiled the city for two months sought to challenge Beijing’s authority in ways that were “very dangerous” and would ruin the semiautonomous territory’s future. | The embattled chief executive of Hong Kong warned that the antigovernment protests that have roiled the city for two months sought to challenge Beijing’s authority in ways that were “very dangerous” and would ruin the semiautonomous territory’s future. |
| In a news conference on Monday, the territory’s leader, Carrie Lam, condemned the increasingly confrontational tactics of protesters in recent weeks and vowed to restore law and order in the financial hub. | In a news conference on Monday, the territory’s leader, Carrie Lam, condemned the increasingly confrontational tactics of protesters in recent weeks and vowed to restore law and order in the financial hub. |
| “This is the time for us to rally together, to set aside differences and bring back order and say ‘no’ to chaos and violence,” Ms. Lam said as the city was brought to standstill on Monday during a general strike and demonstrations that interrupted the morning commute for millions of people. | “This is the time for us to rally together, to set aside differences and bring back order and say ‘no’ to chaos and violence,” Ms. Lam said as the city was brought to standstill on Monday during a general strike and demonstrations that interrupted the morning commute for millions of people. |
| In recent demonstrations, a core group of protesters have tried to surround the central government’s representative office in the city, taunted mainland Chinese shoppers and traders, and over the past weekend threw the Chinese flag into the Victoria Harbor in a move that was swiftly condemned by Beijing. | In recent demonstrations, a core group of protesters have tried to surround the central government’s representative office in the city, taunted mainland Chinese shoppers and traders, and over the past weekend threw the Chinese flag into the Victoria Harbor in a move that was swiftly condemned by Beijing. |
| “Some people have tarnished the national emblem and even removed the national flag and thrown it into the sea,” Mrs. Lam said. | “Some people have tarnished the national emblem and even removed the national flag and thrown it into the sea,” Mrs. Lam said. |
| “In recent days, what we can see are obvious and willful statements of ‘Restore Hong Kong, revolution of our times,’” Mrs. Lam said, citing a slogan from a pro-independence movement that has re-emerged in recent protest chants. | “In recent days, what we can see are obvious and willful statements of ‘Restore Hong Kong, revolution of our times,’” Mrs. Lam said, citing a slogan from a pro-independence movement that has re-emerged in recent protest chants. |
| “We can see some actions challenging ‘One Country, Two Systems’ and the country’s national sovereignty, and if I can even speak more boldly, they want to topple Hong Kong, to thoroughly destroy the livelihoods that 7 million people cherish.” | “We can see some actions challenging ‘One Country, Two Systems’ and the country’s national sovereignty, and if I can even speak more boldly, they want to topple Hong Kong, to thoroughly destroy the livelihoods that 7 million people cherish.” |
| The demonstrations began this summer initially as a way to protest a bill that would allow residents and visitors to Hong Kong to be extradited to mainland China for trial. Ms. Lam repeated her stance that the bill was “dead,” and said the city should not let the protesters use the cause as a pretext for pushing against Chinese rule. | The demonstrations began this summer initially as a way to protest a bill that would allow residents and visitors to Hong Kong to be extradited to mainland China for trial. Ms. Lam repeated her stance that the bill was “dead,” and said the city should not let the protesters use the cause as a pretext for pushing against Chinese rule. |
| “If we continue to allow these violent protesters to make use of the Fugitive Offenders’ bill and these demands to conceal their ulterior motives, that is going to push Hong Kong to the verge of a very dangerous situation,” she said. | “If we continue to allow these violent protesters to make use of the Fugitive Offenders’ bill and these demands to conceal their ulterior motives, that is going to push Hong Kong to the verge of a very dangerous situation,” she said. |
| Hong Kong’s finance secretary, Paul Chan, told reporters on Monday morning that a summer of protests had already depressed the city’s economic growth. As an example, he cited sagging profits in the city’s luxury retail and jewelry sectors. | Hong Kong’s finance secretary, Paul Chan, told reporters on Monday morning that a summer of protests had already depressed the city’s economic growth. As an example, he cited sagging profits in the city’s luxury retail and jewelry sectors. |
| Hours later, as if to underscore Mr. Chan’s point, thousands of protesters streamed into a luxury mall, scattering bewildered shoppers in their wake. | Hours later, as if to underscore Mr. Chan’s point, thousands of protesters streamed into a luxury mall, scattering bewildered shoppers in their wake. |
| Many of the protesters sat on the mall’s ground floor, while others stood on a balcony holding yellow signs that said “strike,” “boycott business,” and “boycott classes.” | Many of the protesters sat on the mall’s ground floor, while others stood on a balcony holding yellow signs that said “strike,” “boycott business,” and “boycott classes.” |
| The mall, New Town Plaza in Sha Tin, was the site of a frenzied brawl last month between police and protesters that left more than two dozen people injured. | The mall, New Town Plaza in Sha Tin, was the site of a frenzied brawl last month between police and protesters that left more than two dozen people injured. |
| “I’m here because I’m on strike today. This city needs saving, so how can we still go to work like nothing is wrong?” said Tammy Chan, 28, who said she works in human resources. “I understand that people might have different values, and they might think that their jobs and their money are more important. But the truth is, if our home is destroyed by the Beijing government and all their lackeys, money isn’t going to be able to fix this society.” | “I’m here because I’m on strike today. This city needs saving, so how can we still go to work like nothing is wrong?” said Tammy Chan, 28, who said she works in human resources. “I understand that people might have different values, and they might think that their jobs and their money are more important. But the truth is, if our home is destroyed by the Beijing government and all their lackeys, money isn’t going to be able to fix this society.” |
| By Monday evening, several luxury stores around the city — including in Causeway Bay and Tsim Sha Tsui, two major shopping districts that protesters occupied over the weekend — had closed early for the day. | By Monday evening, several luxury stores around the city — including in Causeway Bay and Tsim Sha Tsui, two major shopping districts that protesters occupied over the weekend — had closed early for the day. |
| Thousands of antigovernment protesters rallied in swirling crowds across parks, shopping malls and other public spaces on Monday afternoon to support the general strike. | Thousands of antigovernment protesters rallied in swirling crowds across parks, shopping malls and other public spaces on Monday afternoon to support the general strike. |
| Outside government offices in Admiralty, a downtown district on Hong Kong Island, protesters blocked traffic by moving steel and plastic barriers — some erected by the police weeks earlier for crowd control — to a nearby highway. | Outside government offices in Admiralty, a downtown district on Hong Kong Island, protesters blocked traffic by moving steel and plastic barriers — some erected by the police weeks earlier for crowd control — to a nearby highway. |
| Janice Lau, 38, a teacher who had taken her 6-year-old daughter to a rally in a nearby park, pumped her fist in encouragement. | Janice Lau, 38, a teacher who had taken her 6-year-old daughter to a rally in a nearby park, pumped her fist in encouragement. |
| “I’m proud of them,” she said of the protesters, minutes before riot police officers began attempting to clear the crowd with tear gas. “Society forced them to do this, and they didn’t harm society.” | “I’m proud of them,” she said of the protesters, minutes before riot police officers began attempting to clear the crowd with tear gas. “Society forced them to do this, and they didn’t harm society.” |
| Arthur Chan, a physical education teacher at a Hong Kong university, was among those who attended a rally on Monday in the northwestern district of Tuen Mun. | Arthur Chan, a physical education teacher at a Hong Kong university, was among those who attended a rally on Monday in the northwestern district of Tuen Mun. |
| “I asked for leave especially for today because I’ve seen injustice,” said Mr. Chan, 24, noting that one of his students was among the 44 protesters that the police arrested last week on suspicion of rioting. The charge carries a prison term of up to 10 years. | “I asked for leave especially for today because I’ve seen injustice,” said Mr. Chan, 24, noting that one of his students was among the 44 protesters that the police arrested last week on suspicion of rioting. The charge carries a prison term of up to 10 years. |
| “I feel particularly worried about him,” Mr. Chan said of his student. “He’s in his 20s, he does well in school and he’s very nice. I used to be sure that he had a bright future.” | “I feel particularly worried about him,” Mr. Chan said of his student. “He’s in his 20s, he does well in school and he’s very nice. I used to be sure that he had a bright future.” |
| The Hong Kong police said on Monday that officers had arrested 420 people since protests in the territory began in early June, including 82 on Monday. | The Hong Kong police said on Monday that officers had arrested 420 people since protests in the territory began in early June, including 82 on Monday. |
| Officers have also fired 1,000 rounds of tear gas and around 160 rubber bullets over the same time period, two police officials said in a news conference. | Officers have also fired 1,000 rounds of tear gas and around 160 rubber bullets over the same time period, two police officials said in a news conference. |
| “We are here to maintain order to protect the community,” said Kong Wing Cheung, the police superintendent. | “We are here to maintain order to protect the community,” said Kong Wing Cheung, the police superintendent. |
| The scale and intensity of the police response to the protests has prompted criticism from residents. | The scale and intensity of the police response to the protests has prompted criticism from residents. |
| Critics note that when protesters occupied central Hong Kong for 79 days in 2014, the police used tear gas more sparingly. But supporters say the police have regularly shown restraint, and did not use force against the demonstrators even when they stormed the Legislative Council in July. | Critics note that when protesters occupied central Hong Kong for 79 days in 2014, the police used tear gas more sparingly. But supporters say the police have regularly shown restraint, and did not use force against the demonstrators even when they stormed the Legislative Council in July. |
| Hong Kong, one of Asia’s most important transit and financial hubs, was brought to a standstill on Monday, with more than 200 flights grounded and commuter trains disrupted as a citywide strike and demonstrations roiled the territory. | Hong Kong, one of Asia’s most important transit and financial hubs, was brought to a standstill on Monday, with more than 200 flights grounded and commuter trains disrupted as a citywide strike and demonstrations roiled the territory. |
| At the height of the morning rush, protesters blocked the doors of subway cars, causing delays throughout the system that kept millions of people from getting to work. | At the height of the morning rush, protesters blocked the doors of subway cars, causing delays throughout the system that kept millions of people from getting to work. |
| The disruptions were the third time in three weeks that protesters have interrupted train service. RTHK, a local broadcaster, said one-third of the Hong Kong International Airport’s air traffic controllers had joined the strike. | The disruptions were the third time in three weeks that protesters have interrupted train service. RTHK, a local broadcaster, said one-third of the Hong Kong International Airport’s air traffic controllers had joined the strike. |
| Dancus Au, 24, who works at a security firm, said he had been stuck at the Tai Wai subway station since early Monday morning but he blamed his inability to get to work on the city’s leader’s refusal to withdraw the extradition bill. | Dancus Au, 24, who works at a security firm, said he had been stuck at the Tai Wai subway station since early Monday morning but he blamed his inability to get to work on the city’s leader’s refusal to withdraw the extradition bill. |
| “My post is crucial because a security firm requires a lot of people to support its operation,” Mr. Au said. “Carrie Lam has caused my absence today. She should have said ‘withdraw’ at the beginning of this fiasco. She is part of the root cause while Beijing is another part of it.” | “My post is crucial because a security firm requires a lot of people to support its operation,” Mr. Au said. “Carrie Lam has caused my absence today. She should have said ‘withdraw’ at the beginning of this fiasco. She is part of the root cause while Beijing is another part of it.” |
| “I think the general strike is one of the last resorts that the protesters think are possible to express their views. I don’t blame them,” he said, adding that he was considering attending a protest rally. | “I think the general strike is one of the last resorts that the protesters think are possible to express their views. I don’t blame them,” he said, adding that he was considering attending a protest rally. |
| At least 200 flights were canceled, most of them aboard Hong Kong’s flag carrier Cathay Pacific. | At least 200 flights were canceled, most of them aboard Hong Kong’s flag carrier Cathay Pacific. |
| Prominent lawmakers across the political spectrum criticized Mrs. Lam, the city’s leader, saying her remarks in the morning about the protests provided no solutions to the political crisis that has roiled the territory for two months. | Prominent lawmakers across the political spectrum criticized Mrs. Lam, the city’s leader, saying her remarks in the morning about the protests provided no solutions to the political crisis that has roiled the territory for two months. |
| Claudia Mo, a lawmaker in Hong Kong’s pro-democracy legislative minority, called Mrs. Lam’s administration “morally bankrupt” for failing to take responsibility for the unrest. | Claudia Mo, a lawmaker in Hong Kong’s pro-democracy legislative minority, called Mrs. Lam’s administration “morally bankrupt” for failing to take responsibility for the unrest. |
| Mrs. Lam said on Monday that protesters had recently started to chant a slogan that challenged Beijing’s authority over the territory. But Ms. Mo said the slogan alone — “Revive Hong Kong, revolution of our times”— did not prove that protesters were demanding independence. | |
| “A slogan is a slogan is a slogan,” Ms. Mo said. “If she thinks that is a problem, what is the solution to it? Well, we’ll advise her: Try democracy.” | “A slogan is a slogan is a slogan,” Ms. Mo said. “If she thinks that is a problem, what is the solution to it? Well, we’ll advise her: Try democracy.” |
| Ann Chiang, a lawmaker from Hong Kong’s largest pro-Beijing party, the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong, also criticized Mrs. Lam’s performance. | Ann Chiang, a lawmaker from Hong Kong’s largest pro-Beijing party, the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong, also criticized Mrs. Lam’s performance. |
| “Carrie Lam raised many questions at the news conference, but where are the solutions?” Ms. Chiang wrote on Facebook. “Disappointing!!!” | “Carrie Lam raised many questions at the news conference, but where are the solutions?” Ms. Chiang wrote on Facebook. “Disappointing!!!” |
| Antony Dapiran, a Hong Kong-based lawyer and the author of a book about dissent in Hong Kong, called the news conference a “disaster,” in part because it included no concessions and came before the public turnout of Monday’s general strike was fully apparent. | Antony Dapiran, a Hong Kong-based lawyer and the author of a book about dissent in Hong Kong, called the news conference a “disaster,” in part because it included no concessions and came before the public turnout of Monday’s general strike was fully apparent. |
| Mrs. Lam has presented no clear way out of the crisis, he said, while the protesters have become increasingly confrontational. | Mrs. Lam has presented no clear way out of the crisis, he said, while the protesters have become increasingly confrontational. |
| “For me the most alarming thing is we’re kind of on a knife’s edge here — open disrespect for the police, police stations being targeted,” he said. “We are on the cusp of what could be a general breakdown of law and order. It hasn’t gotten there yet, but the government hasn’t done anything to stop it.” | “For me the most alarming thing is we’re kind of on a knife’s edge here — open disrespect for the police, police stations being targeted,” he said. “We are on the cusp of what could be a general breakdown of law and order. It hasn’t gotten there yet, but the government hasn’t done anything to stop it.” |
| Joseph Wong, the former head of Hong Kong’s civil service, said he had not even bothered to listen to Mrs. Lam’s speech because he had lost faith in her. Mr. Wong said that instead of condemning protesters, Mrs. Lam should act on their demands — for example, by formally withdrawing the contentious extradition bill and commissioning an independent inquiry into the police response to recent mob attacks in a Hong Kong metro station. | Joseph Wong, the former head of Hong Kong’s civil service, said he had not even bothered to listen to Mrs. Lam’s speech because he had lost faith in her. Mr. Wong said that instead of condemning protesters, Mrs. Lam should act on their demands — for example, by formally withdrawing the contentious extradition bill and commissioning an independent inquiry into the police response to recent mob attacks in a Hong Kong metro station. |
| “The Chief Executive has the responsibility to set a good example by complying with the rule of law,” he added. “Many people doubt the chief executive herself is doing precisely what she keeps on preaching to the Hong Kong people.” | “The Chief Executive has the responsibility to set a good example by complying with the rule of law,” he added. “Many people doubt the chief executive herself is doing precisely what she keeps on preaching to the Hong Kong people.” |
| China’s state-run media denounced the resurgence of unrest in Hong Kong, portraying the demonstrators as lawless and warning that Beijing would not tolerate a descent into chaos. | China’s state-run media denounced the resurgence of unrest in Hong Kong, portraying the demonstrators as lawless and warning that Beijing would not tolerate a descent into chaos. |
| The People’s Daily, the flagship newspaper of the ruling Communist Party, on Monday recited a long list of supposed offenses committed by the protesters, including insulting the Chinese flag — an apparent reference to protesters who threw a Chinese flag into the harbor on Saturday. | The People’s Daily, the flagship newspaper of the ruling Communist Party, on Monday recited a long list of supposed offenses committed by the protesters, including insulting the Chinese flag — an apparent reference to protesters who threw a Chinese flag into the harbor on Saturday. |
| The newspaper called on the Hong Kong public to rally behind the local police and to “stop the violence,” saying the protesters wanted to end the “one country, two systems” arrangement that has governed the territory since its handover to mainland China in 1997. | The newspaper called on the Hong Kong public to rally behind the local police and to “stop the violence,” saying the protesters wanted to end the “one country, two systems” arrangement that has governed the territory since its handover to mainland China in 1997. |
| “They simply want to push Hong Kong into chaos,” the editorial said of the protesters. | “They simply want to push Hong Kong into chaos,” the editorial said of the protesters. |
| The Global Times, a hawkish tabloid, also raised the possibility of intervention by the mainland authorities in Hong Kong, a position embraced by some Chinese nationalists. | The Global Times, a hawkish tabloid, also raised the possibility of intervention by the mainland authorities in Hong Kong, a position embraced by some Chinese nationalists. |
| “The central government will not allow the complete fall of the rule of law in Hong Kong,” the newspaper said in an editorial on Sunday. “A few mobs can confuse Hong Kong for a while, but they absolutely cannot overthrow the order of Hong Kong completely.” | “The central government will not allow the complete fall of the rule of law in Hong Kong,” the newspaper said in an editorial on Sunday. “A few mobs can confuse Hong Kong for a while, but they absolutely cannot overthrow the order of Hong Kong completely.” |
| Chinese news stations showed footage of protesters inside Hong Kong subway cars, trying to argue, without evidence, that they had lost public support. | Chinese news stations showed footage of protesters inside Hong Kong subway cars, trying to argue, without evidence, that they had lost public support. |
| The Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office in Beijing, which oversees central government policy for the city, invited Hong Kong reporters to a news conference on Tuesday, the second since last week. The office is also scheduled to hold a meeting on Wednesday in Shenzhen, the mainland city closest to Hong Kong, to discuss recent developments with Hong Kong delegates to the national congress, the Hong Kong broadcaster RTHK reported. | The Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office in Beijing, which oversees central government policy for the city, invited Hong Kong reporters to a news conference on Tuesday, the second since last week. The office is also scheduled to hold a meeting on Wednesday in Shenzhen, the mainland city closest to Hong Kong, to discuss recent developments with Hong Kong delegates to the national congress, the Hong Kong broadcaster RTHK reported. |
| Hong Kong is a financial hub with an international reputation for efficiency and order. | Hong Kong is a financial hub with an international reputation for efficiency and order. |
| Not surprisingly, the city’s government offers limited protections for striking workers. | Not surprisingly, the city’s government offers limited protections for striking workers. |
| Some employers signaled that they would tolerate workers’ absence, including the Catholic Diocese and at least two local universities. | Some employers signaled that they would tolerate workers’ absence, including the Catholic Diocese and at least two local universities. |
| But because the general strike is a political action and not a labor dispute, scholars say, those who take part would not be covered by the limited protections offered to striking workers under Hong Kong law. | But because the general strike is a political action and not a labor dispute, scholars say, those who take part would not be covered by the limited protections offered to striking workers under Hong Kong law. |
| “Anyone on the general strike can be counted as being a brave person,” said Rick Glofcheski, a law professor at the University of Hong Kong. “In the current political mood, there are millions of them in Hong Kong. But basically you don’t have any protection.” | “Anyone on the general strike can be counted as being a brave person,” said Rick Glofcheski, a law professor at the University of Hong Kong. “In the current political mood, there are millions of them in Hong Kong. But basically you don’t have any protection.” |
| Maggie Chung, a 32-year-old accountant who attended a protest rally on Sunday, said that she planned to join the strike even though she had not yet passed the probationary period of her new job. “If I lose my job, I can find another one,” she said. “But if Hong Kong is lost, it’s gone forever.” | Maggie Chung, a 32-year-old accountant who attended a protest rally on Sunday, said that she planned to join the strike even though she had not yet passed the probationary period of her new job. “If I lose my job, I can find another one,” she said. “But if Hong Kong is lost, it’s gone forever.” |
| One emerging feature of the civil disobedience gripping Hong Kong: Protesters are increasingly trying to keep the authorities guessing their next move. | One emerging feature of the civil disobedience gripping Hong Kong: Protesters are increasingly trying to keep the authorities guessing their next move. |
| Over the weekend, groups of black-clad protesters appeared with little warning in neighborhoods across the city, in some cases blocking roads and vandalizing police stations. And in many instances, they disappeared before the police could tackle them to the ground or disperse them with tear gas and pepper spray. | Over the weekend, groups of black-clad protesters appeared with little warning in neighborhoods across the city, in some cases blocking roads and vandalizing police stations. And in many instances, they disappeared before the police could tackle them to the ground or disperse them with tear gas and pepper spray. |
| “We are not as well equipped as the police, so we have to be as fluid as possible,” Jason Law, a 19-year-old protester, said on Sunday. | “We are not as well equipped as the police, so we have to be as fluid as possible,” Jason Law, a 19-year-old protester, said on Sunday. |
| The flash-mob-style tactics continued Monday morning as protesters briefly occupied subway stations and roads across the city, including in the satellite town of Yuen Long, the site of mob attacks against demonstrators last month. | The flash-mob-style tactics continued Monday morning as protesters briefly occupied subway stations and roads across the city, including in the satellite town of Yuen Long, the site of mob attacks against demonstrators last month. |
| Many protesters have linked the tactics to the phrase “Be water,” a reference to a line uttered by Bruce Lee, the Hong Kong native and martial-arts star, in a 1971 episode of the American television series “Longstreet.” The protesters say the phrase captures their strategy of trying to outrun the authorities by swiftly changing tactics and targets. | Many protesters have linked the tactics to the phrase “Be water,” a reference to a line uttered by Bruce Lee, the Hong Kong native and martial-arts star, in a 1971 episode of the American television series “Longstreet.” The protesters say the phrase captures their strategy of trying to outrun the authorities by swiftly changing tactics and targets. |
| Reporting was contributed by Mike Ives, Austin Ramzy, Tiffany May, Ezra Cheung, Katherine Li, Russell Goldman and Gillian Wong from Hong Kong, and by Javier Hernandez from Beijing. Elsie Chen contributed research from Beijing. | Reporting was contributed by Mike Ives, Austin Ramzy, Tiffany May, Ezra Cheung, Katherine Li, Russell Goldman and Gillian Wong from Hong Kong, and by Javier Hernandez from Beijing. Elsie Chen contributed research from Beijing. |