Hong Kong protesters apologise for disruption at airport, plan to suspend demonstrations

Statement says they are ‘heartbroken and helpless’ over overreaction of some demonstrators, without mentioning specific incidents

Two mainland Chinese men were assaulted on Tuesday night, while hundreds of flights have been cancelled over the past two days

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Protesters place a placard in the airport apologising for the trouble on Tuesday. Photo: Kimmy Chung

Published: 6:00pm, 14 Aug 2019Updated: 3:46am, 15 Aug 2019

Protesters in Hong Kong on Wednesday apologised for the disruption they had caused at the city’s airport over the past two days that forced the cancellation of hundreds of flights, but steered clear of mentioning their attacks on two mainland Chinese men or the clashes with police.

They also appealed for understanding of their stance, with some saying they would suspend demonstrations at the airport for now.

The statement – signed and issued by “a group of fellow Hongkongers longing for freedom and democracy” – said they felt heartbroken and helpless regarding the overreaction of some protesters on Tuesday, without referring to specific incidents.

On Tuesday night, two mainland Chinese men were assaulted, detained and had their hands bound with cable ties by angry demonstrators who suspected the duo of being undercover agents. One of them was later confirmed to be a journalist with state-run tabloid Global Times.

An officer who had his baton snatched and was being beaten with it resorted to drawing his gun and pointing it at protesters.

The incidents happened on the fifth day of a mass sit-in by protesters who sought to explain to visitors the crisis triggered by the Hong Kong government’s proposed extradition bill.

The bill, now suspended, would have allowed the city to transfer suspects to jurisdictions with which it does not have an extradition deal, including the mainland. Street protests have erupted since June, with demonstrators accusing police of using excessive force in response.

Hong Kong protesters apologise for disruption at airport, plan to suspend demonstrations

Statement says they are ‘heartbroken and helpless’ over overreaction of some demonstrators, without mentioning specific incidents Two mainland Chinese men were assaulted on Tuesday night, while hundreds of flights have been cancelled over the past two days

Statement says they are ‘heartbroken and helpless’ over overreaction of some demonstrators, without mentioning specific incidents

Two mainland Chinese men were assaulted on Tuesday night, while hundreds of flights have been cancelled over the past two days