Hong Kong's MTR services were disrupted on Tuesday morning, July 30.

But unlike in the past, it was due to a different reason.

Non-cooperative movement

In a bid to induce a traffic gridlock, the Hong Kong people have brought their protests from the streets to underground train stations.

As part of the civil disobedience campaign they are carrying out, they have started the so-called non-cooperative movement, which is loosely described as not cooperating with the authorities.

According to Ming Pao, some protesters went online to initiate a “city-wide traffic jam” movement starting from 7:30am on Tuesday, July 30, urging citizens to drive to work "slowly", and "stop their cars at appropriate times, so as to paralyse the transportation network in Hong Kong".

Disrupting train services by preventing the doors from closing is also a way that they say Hongkongers can take part in the movement.

Train services disrupted

According to an announcement by MTR, train services between Causeway Bay station and Tai Koo station were suspended due to incidents involving train door obstructions.

Everytime the door re-opens, protesters will either cheer or make sarcastic remarks like “aiya, we can’t go to work anymore”, “we are so late for work” #antielab #hk pic.twitter.com/TFLNZJvXDe

— Rachel Yeo (@racporter) July 30, 2019

An uncooperative movement in MTR Station.
In this morning, anti-extradition protesters attempted to keep the train doors open, delaying train services during peak hours. pic.twitter.com/q1W5TnsMph

— Wendell the Merlin (@merlin_wendell) July 30, 2019

The Cheung Kwan O line was also affected on July 30, causing crowds of people to wait to get onto buses instead at North Point, which was the last station on the line.

This was the second time in less than a week that protesters had caused train services to be disrupted.

According to Ming Pao, a small group of protesters disrupted train services at Admiralty station as well on July 24, in protest against the MTR's handling of the 721 Yuen Long attack.

In the above video, a protester in black shirt kept asking the MTR staff, "Why didn't you close the train doors on July 21? Hello? Do you have hearing problems?"

Another protester was seen blocking the doors using his body and backpack repeatedly, while the MTR staff tried to push him back into the train right before the doors closed.

However, the MTR staff was accused by the protesters of assaulting the young man with backpack.

Police later arrived to attend to the matter.

The whole incident lasted for more than an hour.

Dozens of passengers are queuing for refunds in Tin Hau station as train services were suspended. (thank you for sending the video ❤️)#HongKong Protesters Disrupt Trains for Second Time in Week https://t.co/qNNemG7rut @bpolitics #tictocnews pic.twitter.com/55LKpbReMz

— Fion Li (@fion_li) July 30, 2019

In a single morning, two MTR lines were disrupted, prompting observers to say the non-cooperation movement appears to be a success.

the traffics in #hongkong right now - looks like the non-cooperation campaign by #antiELAB protesters this morning has succeeded?#hongkongprotests pic.twitter.com/PTnw0im29V

— Jeffie Lam (@jeffielam) July 30, 2019

Bus union putting in their support

The Hong Kong Bus Union Federation under the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions has joined the non-cooperative movement as well, urging bus drivers to “drive at safe (slow) speed” today, in support of the MTR train captains who signed a petition using their real names against the 721 Yuen Long Attack.

MTR staff demand apology from MTR board

MTR conductors have also threatened to go on strike should the MTR board fail to deliver an apology for what protesters said was an inadequate response to the assault that took place in the Yuen Long MTR station on July 21.

The MTR staff felt the MTR's explanation had incorrectly put the blame on the staff themselves.

They also felt unfairly criticised online for failing to close the train doors in time to shut out the white-clad mob, which was targeting journalists and commuters alike, in addition to protesters wearing black.

Protesters have promised to back the MTR staff up, saying they would extend the gridlock to the streets by blocking major roads and junctions with their vehicles.

Top image via Rachel Yeo's Twitter