Flights canceled, major roads blocked as Hong Kong protests escalate

Hong Kong was hit by widespread strikes Monday that brought chaos to much of the city's transport network, including Hong Kong International Airport, in the most ambitious day of demonstrations since the movement began in June.

Here's what happened on Monday:

The idea of China's People Liberation Army (PLA) on the streets of Hong Kong seemed unthinkable just a few weeks ago. Now it is being considered a possibility.

As Hong Kong's pro-democracy protests grow in frequency and intensity, the commander of the city's PLA garrison said last week that protester violence "should not be tolerated."

Five days of protests: Since then Hong Kong has witnessed another five consecutive days of mass protests, which have shut down stores, disrupted air travel and led to clashes between police and demonstrators. The Hong Kong stock market had its worst day in months on Monday.

Public fears: Hong Kong's government is legally allowed to request help from the PLA garrison of more than 6,000 soldiers if public order in the city spirals out of control.

There is no indication yet that troops may be deployed -- but the fear of PLA intervention has spread through the city and triggered memories of the brutal 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown.

What would happen? The stock market would likely crash, followed by the housing market. A mass exodus could follow.

Given Hong Kong's close ties to mainland China, a decision to deploy the PLA could ricochet through the entire country at a time when the world's second biggest economy is already vulnerable because of the trade war with the United States.

Read more here.

Hong Kong's Airport Authority reported 224 flights were canceled Monday after a sit in protest at Hong Kong International Airport.

More than 2,300 aviation workers took part in the strike, including 1,200 Cathay cabin crew and pilots, according to the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions.

Monday's clashes resulted in 24 people being sent to hospitals, the Hong Kong Hospital Authority told CNN.

As of 11 p.m. local time (11 a.m. ET), 16 people have been discharged from hospital, while six are in a stable condition, one is in a serious condition and one is "unknown."

Protesters have completely blocked off Nathan road at multiple points -- which is the major artery in Hong Kong's Kowloon district.

It comes after police fired tear gas to disperse protesters in the area of Prince Edward, outside the Mong Kok police station.

Amnesty International condemned the alleged sexual assault of a female Hong Kong protester by the police on Sunday night, according to a statement.

When asked about the incident earlier on Monday, senior superintendent from Police Public Relations Branch, Yolanda Yu, said “the woman was wearing a dress and she struggled strongly, which explained what happened in front of the camera.”

Amnesty International rebutted the police’s explanation, saying that “protesters' clothing is not an excuse for the police's sexual violence.”

The protester has been arrested on suspicion of assaulting an officer.

Amnesty International cautioned that her arrest should be conducted by female officers in order to “safeguard the rights and dignity of the woman under arrest.” 

Hong Kong police said they initially had three female officers attempt to arrest the woman but because she struggled so much, they had to get reinforcement from additional male officers. 

Protesters are moving rapidly between districts. One group of demonstrators is now in Sham Shui Po -- a heavily populated area at the northern end of Kowloon that is one of the city's poorest districts.

Compared to the glitz and glamor of Hong Kong Island, Sham Shui Po is populated mostly by working-class people.

Hundreds of protesters have set up barricades on the roads leading to Sham Shui Po police station.

Officers have already fired tear gas in an effort to move the protesters on.

Monday marked the most widespread -- and possibly the biggest -- day of protests yet.

After calling for general strikes, protesters started the day by blocking subway doors across the city, throwing the transport system into chaos.

More than 100 flights were cancelled at Hong Kong airport as ground workers went on strike. There were also disruptions at government offices, beaches -- and even Hong Kong Disneyland.

Large strike gatherings in seven districts were approved by police. But the demonstrations quickly deteriorated into clashes between protesters and officers.

Demonstrators even reoccupied Harcourt Road, outside the city government offices in one of Hong Kong's busiest districts. Police in multiple areas responded with tear gas.

As the night wore on, protesters showed no signs of letting up. They attacked multiple police stations -- painting slogans, lighting fires and destroying property.

Armed citizens also appeared to attack demonstrators in the Hong Kong Island district of North Point.

At around 8.45 p.m. local time, there are still multiple stand offs between police and protesters across the city.

In a statement just released, the Hong Kong's police force condemned the protesters for "blocking roads extensively and setting fire to miscellaneous objects."

"The protesters are surrounding and attacking various police stations and the adjacent (barracks), hurling igniting objects and hard objects, making damages to the premises," the statement said.

Police have condemned the violence and said they are using "minimum force" to remove the demonstrators.