Hong Kong braces for airport protests after overnight unrest

Firefighters put out fire by protesters during a protest in Mong Kok, in Hong Kong on Friday, Sept. 6, 2019.  (AP)

HONG KONG — Hong Kong authorities are limiting airport transport services and controlling access to terminals as they brace for a second weekend of disruption following overnight demonstrations that turned violent.

The airport says the express train service will run Saturday from the station in downtown Hong Kong direct to the airport, skipping all stations in-between.

That comes amid calls by protesters to again block traffic to the airport despite the government’s promise earlier this week to withdraw an extradition bill that sparked the demonstrations in June.

Protesters have expanded their demands to include an independent inquiry into alleged police brutality and direct elections of the Chinese territory’s leader.

Violence erupted again late Friday as police fired volleys of tear gas and rubber bullets as protesters smashed up metro stations and set fires.