Hundreds swarm Martin Place to protest Hong Kong unrest

Wearing masks to disguise their identities in fear for the safety of their family in China, Hongkongers protested in Martin Place against the crackdown of their rights in their home country.

Hongkongers angry after a girl was shot in the eye protested in Martin Place on Friday night, against the crackdown of their rights in their home country.

Hundreds of people wearing masks and black clothing joined in the protest to show solidarity with the protesters in Hong Kong.

Hundreds of people wearing masks protest to show solidarity with the protesters in Hong Kong. Picture: Campbell Gellie

Protester Chris Leung who is studying in Sydney said they had to cover their faces concerned about what may happen to them and their family.

“If they share our faces on Wechat (China’s Facebook) we could be in danger,” he said.

“It is maybe dangerous for my family.”

Another Hongkonger who didn’t reveal her name for fear of retribution said she was scared for her and her family’s life.

“We are protecting our identities because we don’t know what will happen to us,” she said.

“Last week a girl didn’t cover her face at a protest at the University of Queensland.

“Then someone went to her family’s house in the mainland and told them to tell her not to be stupid and stop going to protests.”

Hongkongers angry after a girl was shot in the eye and are protesting in Martin Place against the crackdown of their rights in their home country. Picture: Campbell Gellie

Kenny Chow is angry after a girl was allegedly shot in Hong Kong at a protest. Picture: Campbell Gellie

Some of the Sydney protesters covered their right eyes with red bandages to symbolise a girl who was allegedly shot in the eye by police in Hong Kong on Sunday.

NSW Police had to separate pro-Hong Kong and pro-Chinese protesters.

‘Mainlander’ Ariel Liu said a reporter was bashed by protesters at Hong Kong airport but this was not being reported in the media.

“I don’t like any people trying to set apart our country,” said Liu.

Both Ms Liu and Mr Leung said the conflict in Hong Kong was playing out in Australian universities.

Hundreds of people wearing masks and black clothing have joined in the protest to show solidarity with the protesters in Hong Kong. Picture: Campbell Gellie

The once peaceful protests in Hong Kong morphed into fights with police, airport blockades and police retribution.

The riots started in Hong Kong over a piece of legislation which would allow extradition of people to China.

The legislation was later dropped but the protesters made five more demands.

The protests have now spread to focus on claims of police violence and the alleged violation of China’s one country two system agreement.

Pro Hong Kong and Pro China protesters gathered to make their opinions heard in light of the on going unrest in Hong Kong. Picture: Richard Dobson

Hongkonger and Australian resident of 10 years Kenny Chow said China had broken its promise.

“Millions of people from Hong Kong are angry that China is taking away their freedom,” he said.

“They want China to give back the election promise of one country with two systems.”

He said the violence seen on Sunday would have never happened when he lived in Hong Kong.

“This is a nightmare, a bad dream,” he said.

“When I left Hong Kong it was a peaceful city with free speech.”

Cathay Pacific’s chief executive officer Rupert Hogg has resigned amid pressure from Beijing. Picture: Anthony Wallace

Meanwhile, the CEO of Cathay Pacific Airways resigned on Friday following pressure by Beijing on the Hong Kong carrier over participation by some of its employees in anti-government protests.

Rupert Hogg became the highest-profile corporate casualty of official Chinese pressure on companies to support the ruling Communist Party’s position.

Beijing jolted Hong Kong companies last week when it warned that Cathay Pacific employees who “support or take part in illegal protests” would be barred from flying to or over the mainland.

Cathay Pacific said a pilot who was charged with rioting had been removed from flying duties.

Cathay Pacific needs new management to “reset confidence” because its commitment to safety and security had been “called into question,” company Chairman John Slosar said in a statement.

“Cathay Pacific is fully committed to Hong Kong under the principle of ‘one country, two systems’ as enshrined in the Basic Law. We are confident that Hong Kong will have a great future,” Slosar said in the statement.