#mtr had closed!!!! but they cooperated with police to hurt people

[eternal-bauhinian]

A fellow user who wishes to remain anonymous sent me these pictures.

For the first one, the very middle banner (red on left, teal on right, white words) says "I went to the marches and gatherings. Cathay Pacific can fire me now." This is in reference to the fourteen (plus) employees who lost their jobs at Cathay Pacific (HK'S flagship airline) because of their differing political allegiances a while back (for the record, the former CEO did not appear to be a Blue Ribbon, but the new one definitely is).

The second and third are aimed at the Americans and the French, respectively. The Second Amendment of the US Constitution protects the people's right to keep and bear arms. Although I support strong gun control policies, it is somewhat reasonable that this be brought up, considering how the police have arrested people for the possession of "offensive weapons", i.e. laser pointers, as well as snuck weapons into their bags and then arrested them for the charge. The third one references the French Revolution, comparing the LegCo (Legislative Council) with the Bastille and Mainland China with the tyranny of the king, the clergy and the nobility (the First and Second Estates General, respectively).

This banner (which can be read in both English and Traditional Chinese) refers to the fact that the cops allegedly killed some protesters during the Skirmishes at the MTR stations in the past week or so, and that the government has not yet addressed the issue.

The first piece of artwork shows a girl in a helmet and a gas mask. The words on the helmet mean "please do not shoot in the direction of protesters' heads", addressing the problem that some cops have been aiming at the heads of the protesters, of whom have been injured by the shots.

The second one shows text meaning "God bless Hong Kong", and the third means "Hongkongers, Add Oil". 'Add oil' is literally translated from a Cantonese/Chinese slang phrase meaning 'go' and 'keep it up' in an encouraging manner. It was added to the Oxford Dictionary about a year ago.

This poster refers to the Mass Transit Railway as the "Most Terrible Railway", and in Chinese, 港鐵 (pronounced "gong teet", lit. HK railway) as 黨鐵 (pronounced "dong teet", lit. gang/triad/ally - often used derogatorily - railway). This is because skirmishes have been occurring quite regularly in MTR stations, from Prince Edward to Sha Tin, last night. On top of this, the actions of the MTR company, e.g. closing down stations, may indicate support for the police force - which owns over half of the MTR in the first place.

(Also, the translations above are what they symbolize, not really their literal meanings, because Chinese doesn't create new words often - we combine pre-existing logograms to form new concepts, like how 'computer' is literally 'electricity brain' and 'notes' - as in notebook - means 'pen record'.)

For the record, the skirmish at Sha Tin was recorded live. I saw it on (CC)TVB last night, and without context, you would think they protesters were the crazy ones (exactly what they want the 'uneducated' public to think) - some were throwing (thankfully empty) trash bins, mooncake tins and umbrellas at the cops, who had to wrestle down a protester to handcuff him.

Meanwhile, this morning, an associate (not same person as above) sent me this picture from University Station of the East Rail Line:

The words spray-painted onto the wall by the station entrance/exit says 'jump (over the) gates', essentially telling any supporters not to pay for their subway fees (so that the "anti-protest" MTR earns less money and thus receives less support). They also spray-painted the University Station sign outside the station to say "Gang Railway" as well but my informant did not get a good picture of it. Although I am not happy about the alleged MTR support for the government either, I am disappointed in how whoever that did this spray-painted on the walls and signs. Though I am anti-government myself, I do not condone lawbreaking to this extent, i.e. vandalism.

This final picture from my initial informant states a message that translates to "By the power of the truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe". I do hope that the truth will set us free, but alas, we will have to continue our uphill battle to take back the night.

[eternal-bauhinian]

The words above are (in English, not in order): Liberate Hong Kong, Empty R, Return me the truth behind 8/31, Step down Carrie Lam (generally referred to by the public as 'Lam Cheng' - her surnames, married and birth - in Chinese), 8/31 CCTV (something), etc. The word above the metal gate (in red) is a very crude word inappropriate for public usage (but HKers aren't that concerned with usage of profanity, we are rough, grouchy city slickers, after all).

This was once where the ticket machines were, for people who don't use Octopus Cards, at Sha Tin Empty R station. An hour later, I found this notice:

(13 October 2019 update)

[eternal-bauhinian]

Notice to all travellers of the MTR (1 October 2019):

Admiralty, Wan Chai and Prince Edward stations are "temporarily closed"

Causeway Bay, Sham Shui Po, Wong Tai Sin, Sha Tin, Che Kung Temple, Tsuen Wan, Tsuen Wan West and Tuen Mun stations have been "temporarily" closed since 11am this morning

'Free shuttle buses have been provided for traveling between Ocean Park and Kennedy Town stations'

Shopping malls such as New Town Plaza (Shatin), Festival Walk (Kowloon Tong), Maritime Square (Tsing Yi) and Telford Plaza (Kwun Tong) have been closed for the day

source: CCTVB (Channel 83), MTR app

[eternal-bauhinian]

Pictures from University Station.

Left: Don't pay MTR. MTR killed people (likely referring to 8/31).

Right: Let's leap (over the MTR entry machines without paying) together.

I do not approve of graffiti, but it is something I would like to share.