Hundreds of protesters stage new rally at Hong Kong airport

FILE PHOTO: Protesters walk on a highway near Hong Kong’s international airport following a protest against the police brutality and the controversial extradition bill on August 12, 2019. – Hong Kong airport authorities canceled all remaining departing and arriving flights at the major travel hub on August 12, after thousands of protesters entered the arrivals hall to stage a demonstration. (Photo by VIVEK PRAKASH / AFP)

HONG KONG, China (AFP) — Hundreds of pro-democracy protesters staged a new rally on Tuesday at Hong Kong’s airport, a day after a massive demonstration there triggered a shutdown at the busy international travel hub.

Only a handful of protesters stayed through the night, and flights resumed at the airport early in the morning. But by afternoon, several hundred demonstrators had returned, responding to a call for a new rally.

Protesters were wearing the signature black of the movement that began in opposition to a bill allowing extradition to mainland China but has morphed into a broader call for democratic freedoms.

They chanted “Stand with Hong Kong, stand for freedom,” as passengers scrambling to catch rescheduled and delayed flights wheeled their luggage through the airport.

Authorities canceled all remaining flights into and out of the airport on Monday afternoon after thousands of protesters flooded the building.

Operations resumed early Tuesday morning, but a massive backlog of canceled flights meant many take-offs were being delayed or canceled.