Strike brings Hong Kong to a standstill as political crisis deepens

Transport network crippled and flights cancelled as police clash with protesters

Police in Hong Kong fired tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters on Monday as strikes crippled the city’s transport network and forced the cancellation of hundreds of flights amid a deepening political crisis.

Activists blocked arterial roads and halted traffic across the city in a show of fury as Hong Kong’s leader Carrie Lam warned that the Asian financial hub was on the “verge of a very dangerous situation”.

The industrial action is the latest tactic adopted by protesters after more than two months of demonstrations that started as opposition to an extradition bill that would allow criminal suspects to be tried in China.

The protesters’ demands have since escalated to include calls for a more democratic system of government in the territory.

Advertising and banking employees joined construction and retail workers to take part in Hong Kong’s first general strike in half a century, showing how antigovernment sentiment is now building among professionals.

“In the past, it was assumed Hong Kong people were economic animals but this proves people can choose to not go to work,” said Joshua Wong, a leading prodemocracy activist. “Hong Kong people aren’t economic animals any more. We are willing to pay the price, whatever it takes.”

Activists held rallies at seven points across Hong Kong on Monday, in spite of government pleas for calm and after dozens of arrests overnight targeting the protesters who called for the strike.

The authorities accused protesters of taking justice “into their own hands” and using sling shots and “petrol bombs” against police, in attacks which they said left 139 officers injured.