Hong Kong protesters prevented MTR trains from leaving stations on Tuesday, halting them on multiple lines in protest of the government.
At around 7:50am, protesters in masks stopped a train at Tiu Keng Leng heading towards Whampoa by standing between platform doors. The train was still unable to move by around 9:14am, prompting the MTR Corporation to replace services between Tiu Keng Leng and Kwun Tong with buses.
Protesters launched the action after a series of protests against the government urging it to completely withdraw of the now-suspended extradition bill, retract its “riot” characterisation of recent protests, form an independent commission of inquiry, release arrested protesters and implement universal suffrage.
At Tiu Keng Leng station, a woman voiced anger and shouted at them because she could not go to work. But some people chipped in HK$100 to allow her to take other transport, according to Apple Daily.
Mr Li, a civil servant who contributed, said he was willing to do so in order to help the woman.
“Non-cooperation movement should target the government and not other people. We can stand the protests because it does not matter to us that much if we don’t go to work for a day. It’s ok to help students and reduce the effect on other residents,” he said.
Another woman on a train at Tiu Keng Leng was emotional, according to an RTHK video, as she asked protesters: “How long have you stopped people from moving? How many people on this train have you affected?” Protesters apologised to her. Another man on the train expressed support for the movement, “but I am very opposed to affecting residents like this. I am really very opposed to this.”
1105 The earlier disruptive passenger found event at has just resolved, Minor delays on Kwun Tong Line pic.twitter.com/hKDSM5N2GX
— MTR Service Update (@mtrupdate) July 30, 2019
Train services between Tiu Keng Leng and Kwun Tong gradually returned to normal at around 11am.
Meanwhile, on Hong Kong Island, protesters blocked a train at North Point station at around 9;44am. At 10:13am, the service between Causeway Bay station and Tai Koo station was briefly suspended.
At around 10:48am, a man in an orange shirt was arguing with another person at the concourse of the North Point station. Physical clashes ensued and a police officer had to separate the two.
Another man was taken away by police at the station after he was accused of attacking people.
All disruptions were resolved by around 11:17am.
