Hong Kong students strike on first day of school

By Julia Hollingsworth and Caitlin Hu, CNN

Updated 6:51 a.m. ET, September 3, 2019
25 Posts
Sort byDropdown arrow
6:52 a.m. ET, September 2, 2019

Monday, in pictures

It's been a busy day as thousands of protesters gathered in three locations across Hong Kong on Monday.

Take a look at how the day unfolded in the pictures below.

Students take part in a school boycott rally at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Students take part in a school boycott rally at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Anthony Kwan/Getty Images
Pro-democracy protesters have continued rallies on the streets of Hong Kong against a controversial extradition bill since 9 June as the city plunged into crisis after waves of demonstrations and several violent clashes
Pro-democracy protesters have continued rallies on the streets of Hong Kong against a controversial extradition bill since 9 June as the city plunged into crisis after waves of demonstrations and several violent clashes Anthony Kwan/Getty Images
Protesters hold placards during a rally at Tamar Park. Thousands of black-clad students rallied on September 2 at the start of a two-week boycott of university classes, piling pressure on Hong Kong's leaders to resolve months of increasingly violent anti-government protests that show no sign of easing.
Protesters hold placards during a rally at Tamar Park. Thousands of black-clad students rallied on September 2 at the start of a two-week boycott of university classes, piling pressure on Hong Kong's leaders to resolve months of increasingly violent anti-government protests that show no sign of easing. LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP/Getty Images
Hong Kong riot police wait inside the North Point MTR station.
Hong Kong riot police wait inside the North Point MTR station. LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP/Getty Images
Medical staff hold posters as they form a human chain to express solidarity with anti-extradition bill protesters during their lunch break at the Queen Mary Hospital.
Medical staff hold posters as they form a human chain to express solidarity with anti-extradition bill protesters during their lunch break at the Queen Mary Hospital. ANTHONY WALLACE/AFP/Getty Images
A man is arrested at the Lok Fu MTR station during a train disruption protest.
A man is arrested at the Lok Fu MTR station during a train disruption protest. PHILIP FONG/AFP/Getty Images

6:44 a.m. ET, September 2, 2019

Water-filled barricades installed in front of Mong Kok police station

From CNN's Ben Westcott

Large water-filled barriers have been installed in front of the entrance of Mong Kok police station, one of the scenes of protest over the weekend.

Ben Westcott, CNN
Ben Westcott, CNN

5:51 a.m. ET, September 2, 2019

What's happening in Hong Kong

It's been a rainy, gloomy day in Hong Kong, but that hasn't deterred protesters.

If you're just joining us, here's what's going on today:

  • It's the first day back for students after the summer break, but many high school and university students have skipped class and protested.
  • Some workers also went on strike today. During their lunch break, medical staff at Queen Mary Hospital formed a human chain to show their support for the pro-democracy cause.
  • Right now, there are thousands of protesters gathered in three locations across the city, including two on Hong Kong Island: in Tamar Park, Admiralty, and Edinburgh Place, Central. There are also thousands of university students protesting at Chinese University of Hong Kong in Sha Tin, in the city's New Territories.
  • Police announced earlier that they've arrested 1,117 people since the mass pro-democracy protests kicked off in June.

Secondary school students gather in support of the ongoing pro-democracy protests, at Edinburgh Place in Central, Hong Kong, on September 2.
Secondary school students gather in support of the ongoing pro-democracy protests, at Edinburgh Place in Central, Hong Kong, on September 2. Jeon Heon-Kyun/EPE-EFE/Shutterstock

5:19 a.m. ET, September 2, 2019

Hong Kong court overturns ban on pro-democracy candidate Agnes Chow

By CNN's James Griffiths and Eric Cheung

As if Hong Kong's summer of discontent wasn't chaotic enough, a leading pro-democratic lawmaker may have just been unseated by one of his own allies.

On Monday, a court ruled that 22-year-old Agnes Chow had been illegally barred from running for a seat on the city's legislative council last year.

Au Nok-hin, another pro-democracy candidate elected in her place, was "not duly elected," the judge said. 

It is unclear at this time what this means for the seat. Hong Kong's parliament now has 21 days to declare the seat vacant, if no appeals are lodged and the ruling holds. The decision could set the stage for a contentious new election, amid escalating protests.

Au and Chow are both prominent figures in this summer's pro-democracy movement, and were among several activists and lawmakers arrested last week.

Read more about Au and Chow here.

5:21 a.m. ET, September 2, 2019

Here's what the scene is like at another protest in Tamar Park, on Hong Kong Island

This is what the scene is like in Tamar Park, in front of the city's government buildings.

Protesters -- both young and middle-aged -- are sitting on the grass, some holding umbrellas and signs.

Many are waving signs that read: "Strike for Hong Kong. All citizens, go on three strikes." That's referring to the strikes happening today, which were intended to involve shops, schools and offices.

A protester holds an umbrella in the latest rally against a controversial extradition bill at Tamar Park in the Admiralty district of Hong Kong on September 2, 2019.
A protester holds an umbrella in the latest rally against a controversial extradition bill at Tamar Park in the Admiralty district of Hong Kong on September 2, 2019. LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP/Getty Images

Some are wearing medical masks to protect their identities.

Protesters attend the latest rally against a controversial extradition bill at Tamar Park in the Admiralty district of Hong Kong on September 2, 2019.
Protesters attend the latest rally against a controversial extradition bill at Tamar Park in the Admiralty district of Hong Kong on September 2, 2019. LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP/Getty Images

5:17 a.m. ET, September 2, 2019

Black-clad crowds at Chinese University of Hong Kong

This is the scene at Chinese University of Hong Kong -- one of the city's top universities:

Students attend a school boycott rally at the Chinese University of Hong Kong on September 2, 2019.
Students attend a school boycott rally at the Chinese University of Hong Kong on September 2, 2019. PHILIP FONG/AFP/Getty Images

On the ground, protesters are waving placards. One features an anime interpretation of protesters in yellow hard hats and black face masks. The particularly muscular cartoon protester is carrying Pocari Sweat, a drink that has become a symbol of the pro-democracy movement.

Students attend a school boycott rally at the Chinese University of Hong Kong on September 2, 2019.
Students attend a school boycott rally at the Chinese University of Hong Kong on September 2, 2019. PHILIP FONG/AFP/Getty Images

There's also this sign, pinned to a stuffed doll of Pepe the Frog. While Pepe the Frog is a meme for the alt-right in the United States, he doesn't carry the same connotations in Hong Kong where he's become a regular feature in protest art.

Below, the stuffed frog's eye is covered and bloody -- a nod to a protester whose eye was injured during in an earlier demonstration.

Students attend a school boycott rally at the Chinese University of Hong Kong on September 2, 2019.
Students attend a school boycott rally at the Chinese University of Hong Kong on September 2, 2019. PHILIP FONG/AFP/Getty Images

4:42 a.m. ET, September 2, 2019

Over 80 days of protest

It's been over 80 days since the first mass march on June 9, which organizers said drew more than 1 million people to the streets. Hong Kong Police put that number closer to 240,000.

4:46 a.m. ET, September 2, 2019

Over 1,100 people have been arrested since mass protests started in June

There have been 1,117 people arrested since Hong Kong's summer of dissent kicked off on June 9 -- and almost 15% were arrested last weekend.

In a press conference Monday, police said they had arrested 159 people from Friday to Sunday. Assistant Commissioner of Police Mak Chin-ho said 132 were men and 27 were women. One was a 13-year-old boy arrested while carrying two Molotov cocktails.

During the weekend, protesters threw petrol bombs and lit bonfires on the streets, while police fired water cannons and tear gas.

The numbers make this past weekend one of the biggest for arrests in the three-month protest movement. During a city-wide strike last month, 148 people were arrested in a single day.

4:16 a.m. ET, September 2, 2019

Multiple protests are happening right now in Hong Kong

As thousands protest at the Chinese University of Hong Kong in the New Territories, high school students are gathering miles away in Hong Kong Island.

Many are in their school uniforms and wearing surgical masks -- something protesters frequently don to hide their identities.

Today is the first day of school for many Hong Kong students. But rather than going to class, some have opted to boycott and protest instead.

High school students sit on the ground during a protest in Admiralty in Hong Kong, on September 2, 2019.
High school students sit on the ground during a protest in Admiralty in Hong Kong, on September 2, 2019. AP Photo/Kin Cheung