Hong Kong has been brought to a standstill with protesters staging the first general strike the city has seen since its handover back to China.

The strike comes as protests sparked by an unpopular extradition bill, which would have allowed suspects to be sent to mainland China for trial, have entered their ninth week. Rather than dying down over time, the demonstrations have only grown disruptive. This marks the fifth consecutive day of mass protests.

Monday was kicked off by protesters doing all they could to jam up Hong Kong’s transit systems and turn morning rush hour into chaos.

While more than 200 flights were canceled at the Hong Kong airport as many staff members walked out to join the protests, a number of MTR lines were suspended as protesters blocked the doors, preventing the trains from leaving and leading to some scuffles against angry commuters.

At Lai King station, dozens of young people in black and masks have been blocking the trains to central and HK since 7:30am. Some passengers blamed them for stopping them for work. A middle aged man in blue pushed a protestor off the train which caused chaos #antiELAB pic.twitter.com/h7QmTRyySv — Karen Zhang (@karenised) August 5, 2019

Elsewhere, protesters erected barriers or simply drove around in circles to block roadways.

Civil disobedience at its finest.🤣🤣🤣🤣 General strike in Hong Kong today, drivers in Tai Po are helping out by practicing their turning skills.#hongkongprotests #strike pic.twitter.com/Vb7kbEVJVP — Denise Ho (HOCC) (@hoccgoomusic) August 5, 2019

The blockades led to one scary scene where a van rammed its way through, injuring one protester.

Close up of shocking scene in Yuen Long of a van almost crashing into protesters, who were building barricades and stopped cars from passing through. #hongkongprotests pic.twitter.com/3xurF1VIDy — Alvin Lum (@alvinllum) August 5, 2019

Following the morning traffic madness, large rallies have been planned for at least seven districts in Hong Kong with thousands of people massing in the areas.

MacPherson Playground in Mong Kok is now packed with people in support of the general strike in #HongKong today. Participants are calling for Chief Executive Carrie Lam to step down over the extradition saga, among other demands. pic.twitter.com/zrycGztJfj — Jimmy Choi (@jimcyf) August 5, 2019

Meanwhile, familiar scenes of police firing tear gas at protesters have occurred outside the Tin Shui Wai Police Station.

#Breaking: police just fired tear gas at protesters, who had been throwing eggs and stones at officers #hongkongprotests pic.twitter.com/rN49VbmtIC — Timmy Sung (@timmysung) August 5, 2019

With so much going on, the protesters are left making some hard choices.

To buy or not to buy, tough question for #AntiELAB protesters in Tsuen Wan

"Oh hardware shop! Replenish gears if you need!"

"Huh? Didn't we call for no shopping today (for general strike)?" #85strike pic.twitter.com/guLrwXXec2 — Xinqi Su (@XinqiSu) August 5, 2019

Earlier on Monday, Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam held a press conference, declaring that the city is on the “verge of a very dangerous situation” and condemning the protesters for interfering with workers just trying to make a living.

Lam gave no indication of acceding to any of the protesters’ demands and offered no solution towards stopping the weeks of protests, chaos, and violence that has wracked Hong Kong this summer.

Best conspiracy theory on Carrie Lam's presser (or should we call it non-presser) just now: She's doing it on purpose to enrage Hong Kong people to an extent that Beijing has no choice but to give in to her request for resignation — Nectar Gan (@Nectar_Gan) August 5, 2019