An #Eye4HK campaign in support of Hong Kong protesters has attracted international momentum and attention.

The campaign in reference to a woman who may have lost an eye during a protest outside the Tsim Sha Tsui police station on August 11. A projectile, which appeared to be a bean bag round, was seen lodged inside her safety goggles, leaving her right eyeball ruptured.

The woman had an emergency operation and was discharged from a hospital on Tuesday, Ming Pao reported.

The Hong Kong police have maintained they were not certain about the cause of the injury, and asked the woman to assist with the police investigation. They confirmed, however, that bean bag rounds were fired on August 11.

A suspected bean bag round was shot at a woman’s right eye outside the Tsim Sha Tsui police station on August 11, 2019. Photo: Apple Daily.

The incident has sparked a campaign calling for people to cover their right eye and post a photo on social media to support the woman, as well as the ongoing anti-extradition law protests.

Many Hong Kong politicians, activists and celebrities have taken part in the challenge.

South Korean actor Kim Eui-Seong, known for his role in Train to Busan, took a selfie with his friends and posted it to his Instagram account.

He said he wished to “comfort the Hong Kong [woman] who was injured by the police during the demonstration, and to cheer Hong Kong citizens fighting for freedom and democracy,” he wrote.

His post inspired more South Koreans – and people from other countries – to post similar photos, which were then passed on to Kim to be shared.

“So many photos are sent to my email. I am proud of Korean ppl supporting HK. #eyeforhk #eye4hk,” he wrote.

Anna Cheung, a US scholar and activist from the group NY4HK – originally from Hong Kong – appeared on a Fox News programme on Wednesday and covered her right eye with journalists Bill McGurn and Jillian Melchior of the Wall Street Journal.

Our own Anna Cheung’s panel discussion at Deep Dive for Fox Nation, with Bill McGurn and Jillian Melchior of The Wall… Posted by NY4HK – New Yorkers Supporting Hong Kong on Wednesday, 21 August 2019

On Wednesday night at Yuen Long MTR station, protesters stood up in silence every hour and covered their right eye in protest. The demonstration was to mark a month since a violent mob attack took place at the station.

Photo: Kris Cheng/HKFP.

Previously, protesters who occupied the Hong Kong airport had covered their eyes with gauze in protest.

Photo: Tom Grundy/HKFP.

Other participants included ex-lawmaker Nathan Law.

His Demosisto party colleague, Joshua Wong, also took part.

Hong Kong Free Press relies on direct reader support. Help safeguard independent journalism and press freedom as we invest more in freelancers, overtime, safety gear & insurance during this summer’s protests. 10 ways to support us.