Cathay denounced for firing Hong Kong staff after pressure from China

[Eugene]

Source: The Guardian

Cathay denounced for firing Hong Kong staff after pressure from China

City also sees separate rally against alleged sexual violence by police against participants in protest movement

Tania Branigan and Erin Hale in Hong Kong
Wed 28 Aug 2019 15.31 BST Last modified on Wed 28 Aug 2019 19.05 BST

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Hong Kong on Wednesday to denounce Cathay Pacific for firing staff after it came under pressure from Beijing – describing the case as symptomatic of the wider intimidation of protesters and sympathisers.

Businesses, pushed to voice support for the authorities, are facing a growing backlash from employees and customers who see the pressure as part of a broad strategy to wear down opposition after two and a half months of protests sparked by a controversial extradition bill.

“It’s not just an issue for Cathay,” said one demonstrator, a retiree who gave her name as Miss Chan. “They want to [persuade] the public that if you go on a demonstration you may be punished; even if you are not arrested, you might lose employment opportunities. They are trying to expand the fear, which is already huge in Hong Kong.”

Protesters, many from the aviation industry, rallied in the financial district before marching to the headquarters of Swire Pacific, the airline’s controlling shareholder.

Later on Wednesday night thousands of protesters attended a separate rally against alleged sexual violence by police against participants in the movement.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/28/cathay-pacific-denounced-for-firing-hong-kong-staff-on-china-orders

[democratisphere]

1. Democracies are under siege and falling all around the world.

Time to fight back harder, before it is too late!