Hong Kong residents are enduring a fourth day of traffic snarls and mass transit disruptions as protesters closed some major arteries and rail networks while police skirmished with militant students at major universities.

Life in this city of 7.5 million has been under strain as thousands of commuters were unable to make it to work and the government appealed on Thursday for employers to show flexibility.

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Protesters climb over a barricade on an overhead bridge near the Cross-Harbour Tunnel in Hong Kong, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019. University students from mainland China and Taiwan are fleeing Hong Kong, while those from three Scandinavian countries have been moved or urged to leave as college campuses become the latest battleground in the city's 5-month-long anti-government unrest. (AP PhotoNg Han Guan)

Hong Kong residents are enduring a fourth day of traffic snarls and mass transit disruptions as protesters closed some major arteries and rail networks while police skirmished with militant students at major universities.

A protester tries to pour water on a fire burning amid debris placed to block a road leading to the Cross-Harbour Tunnel in Hong Kong, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019. University students from mainland China and Taiwan are fleeing Hong Kong, while those from three Scandinavian countries have been moved or urged to leave as college campuses become the latest battleground in the city's 5-month-long anti-government unrest. (AP PhotoNg Han Guan)

Pro-democracy protests have riven Hong Kong, and divided its people, for more than five months.

A protester watches as a fire burns amid debris placed to block a road leading to the Cross-Harbour Tunnel in Hong Kong, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019. University students from mainland China and Taiwan are fleeing Hong Kong, while those from three Scandinavian countries have been moved or urged to leave as college campuses become the latest battleground in the city's 5-month-long anti-government unrest. (AP PhotoNg Han Guan)

A protester watches as a fire burns amid debris placed to block a road leading to the Cross-Harbour Tunnel in Hong Kong, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019. University students from mainland China and Taiwan are fleeing Hong Kong, while those from three Scandinavian countries have been moved or urged to leave as college campuses become the latest battleground in the city's 5-month-long anti-government unrest. (AP PhotoNg Han Guan)

Riot police stand guard as they face off with pro-democracy protesters at the campus of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, in Hong Kong, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019. University students from mainland China and Taiwan are fleeing Hong Kong, while those from three Scandinavian countries have been moved or urged to leave as college campuses become the latest battleground in the city's 5-month-long anti-government unrest. (AP PhotoNg Han Guan)

Riot police stand guard as they face off with pro-democracy protesters at the campus of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, in Hong Kong, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019. University students from mainland China and Taiwan are fleeing Hong Kong, while those from three Scandinavian countries have been moved or urged to leave as college campuses become the latest battleground in the city's 5-month-long anti-government unrest. (AP PhotoNg Han Guan)

Riot police fire tear gas gun as they face-off with pro-democracy protesters at the campus of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, in Hong Kong, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019. University students from mainland China and Taiwan are fleeing Hong Kong, while those from three Scandinavian countries have been moved or urged to leave as college campuses become the latest battleground in the city's 5-month-long anti-government unrest. (AP PhotoNg Han Guan)

Riot police fire tear gas gun as they face-off with pro-democracy protesters at the campus of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, in Hong Kong, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019. University students from mainland China and Taiwan are fleeing Hong Kong, while those from three Scandinavian countries have been moved or urged to leave as college campuses become the latest battleground in the city's 5-month-long anti-government unrest. (AP PhotoNg Han Guan)

A man runs past riot policemen gathering near the campus of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University as they face-off with pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019. University students from mainland China and Taiwan are fleeing Hong Kong, while those from three Scandinavian countries have been moved or urged to leave as college campuses become the latest battleground in the city's 5-month-long anti-government unrest. (AP PhotoNg Han Guan)

A man runs past riot policemen gathering near the campus of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University as they face-off with pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019. University students from mainland China and Taiwan are fleeing Hong Kong, while those from three Scandinavian countries have been moved or urged to leave as college campuses become the latest battleground in the city's 5-month-long anti-government unrest. (AP PhotoNg Han Guan)

A riot police, center, aims his tear gas gun during a face-off with pro-democracy protesters at the campus of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, in Hong Kong, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019. University students from mainland China and Taiwan are fleeing Hong Kong, while those from three Scandinavian countries have been moved or urged to leave as college campuses become the latest battleground in the city's 5-month-long anti-government unrest. (AP PhotoNg Han Guan)

A riot police, center, aims his tear gas gun during a face-off with pro-democracy protesters at the campus of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, in Hong Kong, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019. University students from mainland China and Taiwan are fleeing Hong Kong, while those from three Scandinavian countries have been moved or urged to leave as college campuses become the latest battleground in the city's 5-month-long anti-government unrest. (AP PhotoNg Han Guan)

Protesters don gas masks and helmets as they defend a bridge leading into Chinese University of Hong Kong, in Hong Kong, early Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019. Protesters in Hong Kong battled police on multiple fronts on Tuesday, from major disruptions during the morning rush hour to a late-night standoff at a prominent university, as the 5-month-old anti-government movement takes an increasingly violent turn. (AP PhotoNg Han Guan)

Protesters don gas masks and helmets as they defend a bridge leading into Chinese University of Hong Kong, in Hong Kong, early Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019. Protesters in Hong Kong battled police on multiple fronts on Tuesday, from major disruptions during the morning rush hour to a late-night standoff at a prominent university, as the 5-month-old anti-government movement takes an increasingly violent turn. (AP PhotoNg Han Guan)

A pro-democracy protester makes nail roadblocks inside the campus of the University of Hong Kong, early Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019. University students from mainland China and Taiwan are fleeing Hong Kong, while those from three Scandinavian countries have been moved or urged to leave as college campuses become the latest battleground in the city's 5-month-long anti-government unrest. (AP PhotoKin Cheung)

A pro-democracy protester makes nail roadblocks inside the campus of the University of Hong Kong, early Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019. University students from mainland China and Taiwan are fleeing Hong Kong, while those from three Scandinavian countries have been moved or urged to leave as college campuses become the latest battleground in the city's 5-month-long anti-government unrest. (AP PhotoKin Cheung)

Bricks are set by pro-democracy protesters outside the campus of the University of Hong Kong, early Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019. University students from mainland China and Taiwan are fleeing Hong Kong, while those from three Scandinavian countries have been moved or urged to leave as college campuses become the latest battleground in the city's 5-month-long anti-government unrest. (AP PhotoKin Cheung)

Bricks are set by pro-democracy protesters outside the campus of the University of Hong Kong, early Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019. University students from mainland China and Taiwan are fleeing Hong Kong, while those from three Scandinavian countries have been moved or urged to leave as college campuses become the latest battleground in the city's 5-month-long anti-government unrest. (AP PhotoKin Cheung)

Bricks are set by pro-democracy protesters outside the campus of the University of Hong Kong, early Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019. University students from mainland China and Taiwan are fleeing Hong Kong, while those from three Scandinavian countries have been moved or urged to leave as college campuses become the latest battleground in the city's 5-month-long anti-government unrest. (AP PhotoKin Cheung)

Bricks are set by pro-democracy protesters outside the campus of the University of Hong Kong, early Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019. University students from mainland China and Taiwan are fleeing Hong Kong, while those from three Scandinavian countries have been moved or urged to leave as college campuses become the latest battleground in the city's 5-month-long anti-government unrest. (AP PhotoKin Cheung)

A pro-democracy protester makes nail roadblocks inside the campus of the University of Hong Kong, early Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019. University students from mainland China and Taiwan are fleeing Hong Kong, while those from three Scandinavian countries have been moved or urged to leave as college campuses become the latest battleground in the city's 5-month-long anti-government unrest. (AP PhotoKin Cheung)

A pro-democracy protester makes nail roadblocks inside the campus of the University of Hong Kong, early Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019. University students from mainland China and Taiwan are fleeing Hong Kong, while those from three Scandinavian countries have been moved or urged to leave as college campuses become the latest battleground in the city's 5-month-long anti-government unrest. (AP PhotoKin Cheung)

Nail roadblocks is placed on road by pro-democracy protesters outside the campus of the University of Hong Kong, early Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019. University students from mainland China and Taiwan are fleeing Hong Kong, while those from three Scandinavian countries have been moved or urged to leave as college campuses become the latest battleground in the city's 5-month-long anti-government unrest. (AP PhotoKin Cheung)

Nail roadblocks is placed on road by pro-democracy protesters outside the campus of the University of Hong Kong, early Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019. University students from mainland China and Taiwan are fleeing Hong Kong, while those from three Scandinavian countries have been moved or urged to leave as college campuses become the latest battleground in the city's 5-month-long anti-government unrest. (AP PhotoKin Cheung)

Riot police fired tear gas during standoffs with students at Polytechnic University. Militant protesters have hurled gasoline bombs and thrown objects off bridges during clashes at university campuses this week. Chinese University suspended classes for the rest of the year, and others asked students to switch to online learning.

Protesters climb over a barricade on an overhead bridge near the Cross-Harbour Tunnel in Hong Kong, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019. University students from mainland China and Taiwan are fleeing Hong Kong, while those from three Scandinavian countries have been moved or urged to leave as college campuses become the latest battleground in the city's 5-month-long anti-government unrest. (AP PhotoNg Han Guan)

Protesters climb over a barricade on an overhead bridge near the Cross-Harbour Tunnel in Hong Kong, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019. University students from mainland China and Taiwan are fleeing Hong Kong, while those from three Scandinavian countries have been moved or urged to leave as college campuses become the latest battleground in the city's 5-month-long anti-government unrest. (AP PhotoNg Han Guan)

Pro-democracy protests have riven Hong Kong, and divided its people, for more than five months.

A protester tries to pour water on a fire burning amid debris placed to block a road leading to the Cross-Harbour Tunnel in Hong Kong, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019. University students from mainland China and Taiwan are fleeing Hong Kong, while those from three Scandinavian countries have been moved or urged to leave as college campuses become the latest battleground in the city's 5-month-long anti-government unrest. (AP PhotoNg Han Guan)

A protester tries to pour water on a fire burning amid debris placed to block a road leading to the Cross-Harbour Tunnel in Hong Kong, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019. University students from mainland China and Taiwan are fleeing Hong Kong, while those from three Scandinavian countries have been moved or urged to leave as college campuses become the latest battleground in the city's 5-month-long anti-government unrest. (AP PhotoNg Han Guan)

A protester watches as a fire burns amid debris placed to block a road leading to the Cross-Harbour Tunnel in Hong Kong, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019. University students from mainland China and Taiwan are fleeing Hong Kong, while those from three Scandinavian countries have been moved or urged to leave as college campuses become the latest battleground in the city's 5-month-long anti-government unrest. (AP PhotoNg Han Guan)

A protester watches as a fire burns amid debris placed to block a road leading to the Cross-Harbour Tunnel in Hong Kong, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019. University students from mainland China and Taiwan are fleeing Hong Kong, while those from three Scandinavian countries have been moved or urged to leave as college campuses become the latest battleground in the city's 5-month-long anti-government unrest. (AP PhotoNg Han Guan)

Riot police stand guard as they face off with pro-democracy protesters at the campus of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, in Hong Kong, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019. University students from mainland China and Taiwan are fleeing Hong Kong, while those from three Scandinavian countries have been moved or urged to leave as college campuses become the latest battleground in the city's 5-month-long anti-government unrest. (AP PhotoNg Han Guan)

Riot police stand guard as they face off with pro-democracy protesters at the campus of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, in Hong Kong, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019. University students from mainland China and Taiwan are fleeing Hong Kong, while those from three Scandinavian countries have been moved or urged to leave as college campuses become the latest battleground in the city's 5-month-long anti-government unrest. (AP PhotoNg Han Guan)

Riot police fire tear gas gun as they face-off with pro-democracy protesters at the campus of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, in Hong Kong, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019. University students from mainland China and Taiwan are fleeing Hong Kong, while those from three Scandinavian countries have been moved or urged to leave as college campuses become the latest battleground in the city's 5-month-long anti-government unrest. (AP PhotoNg Han Guan)

Riot police fire tear gas gun as they face-off with pro-democracy protesters at the campus of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, in Hong Kong, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019. University students from mainland China and Taiwan are fleeing Hong Kong, while those from three Scandinavian countries have been moved or urged to leave as college campuses become the latest battleground in the city's 5-month-long anti-government unrest. (AP PhotoNg Han Guan)

A man runs past riot policemen gathering near the campus of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University as they face-off with pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019. University students from mainland China and Taiwan are fleeing Hong Kong, while those from three Scandinavian countries have been moved or urged to leave as college campuses become the latest battleground in the city's 5-month-long anti-government unrest. (AP PhotoNg Han Guan)

A man runs past riot policemen gathering near the campus of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University as they face-off with pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019. University students from mainland China and Taiwan are fleeing Hong Kong, while those from three Scandinavian countries have been moved or urged to leave as college campuses become the latest battleground in the city's 5-month-long anti-government unrest. (AP PhotoNg Han Guan)

A riot police, center, aims his tear gas gun during a face-off with pro-democracy protesters at the campus of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, in Hong Kong, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019. University students from mainland China and Taiwan are fleeing Hong Kong, while those from three Scandinavian countries have been moved or urged to leave as college campuses become the latest battleground in the city's 5-month-long anti-government unrest. (AP PhotoNg Han Guan)

A riot police, center, aims his tear gas gun during a face-off with pro-democracy protesters at the campus of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, in Hong Kong, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019. University students from mainland China and Taiwan are fleeing Hong Kong, while those from three Scandinavian countries have been moved or urged to leave as college campuses become the latest battleground in the city's 5-month-long anti-government unrest. (AP PhotoNg Han Guan)

Protesters don gas masks and helmets as they defend a bridge leading into Chinese University of Hong Kong, in Hong Kong, early Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019. Protesters in Hong Kong battled police on multiple fronts on Tuesday, from major disruptions during the morning rush hour to a late-night standoff at a prominent university, as the 5-month-old anti-government movement takes an increasingly violent turn. (AP PhotoNg Han Guan)

Protesters don gas masks and helmets as they defend a bridge leading into Chinese University of Hong Kong, in Hong Kong, early Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019. Protesters in Hong Kong battled police on multiple fronts on Tuesday, from major disruptions during the morning rush hour to a late-night standoff at a prominent university, as the 5-month-old anti-government movement takes an increasingly violent turn. (AP PhotoNg Han Guan)

A pro-democracy protester makes nail roadblocks inside the campus of the University of Hong Kong, early Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019. University students from mainland China and Taiwan are fleeing Hong Kong, while those from three Scandinavian countries have been moved or urged to leave as college campuses become the latest battleground in the city's 5-month-long anti-government unrest. (AP PhotoKin Cheung)

A pro-democracy protester makes nail roadblocks inside the campus of the University of Hong Kong, early Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019. University students from mainland China and Taiwan are fleeing Hong Kong, while those from three Scandinavian countries have been moved or urged to leave as college campuses become the latest battleground in the city's 5-month-long anti-government unrest. (AP PhotoKin Cheung)

Bricks are set by pro-democracy protesters outside the campus of the University of Hong Kong, early Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019. University students from mainland China and Taiwan are fleeing Hong Kong, while those from three Scandinavian countries have been moved or urged to leave as college campuses become the latest battleground in the city's 5-month-long anti-government unrest. (AP PhotoKin Cheung)

Bricks are set by pro-democracy protesters outside the campus of the University of Hong Kong, early Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019. University students from mainland China and Taiwan are fleeing Hong Kong, while those from three Scandinavian countries have been moved or urged to leave as college campuses become the latest battleground in the city's 5-month-long anti-government unrest. (AP PhotoKin Cheung)

Bricks are set by pro-democracy protesters outside the campus of the University of Hong Kong, early Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019. University students from mainland China and Taiwan are fleeing Hong Kong, while those from three Scandinavian countries have been moved or urged to leave as college campuses become the latest battleground in the city's 5-month-long anti-government unrest. (AP PhotoKin Cheung)

Bricks are set by pro-democracy protesters outside the campus of the University of Hong Kong, early Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019. University students from mainland China and Taiwan are fleeing Hong Kong, while those from three Scandinavian countries have been moved or urged to leave as college campuses become the latest battleground in the city's 5-month-long anti-government unrest. (AP PhotoKin Cheung)

A pro-democracy protester makes nail roadblocks inside the campus of the University of Hong Kong, early Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019. University students from mainland China and Taiwan are fleeing Hong Kong, while those from three Scandinavian countries have been moved or urged to leave as college campuses become the latest battleground in the city's 5-month-long anti-government unrest. (AP PhotoKin Cheung)

A pro-democracy protester makes nail roadblocks inside the campus of the University of Hong Kong, early Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019. University students from mainland China and Taiwan are fleeing Hong Kong, while those from three Scandinavian countries have been moved or urged to leave as college campuses become the latest battleground in the city's 5-month-long anti-government unrest. (AP PhotoKin Cheung)

Nail roadblocks is placed on road by pro-democracy protesters outside the campus of the University of Hong Kong, early Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019. University students from mainland China and Taiwan are fleeing Hong Kong, while those from three Scandinavian countries have been moved or urged to leave as college campuses become the latest battleground in the city's 5-month-long anti-government unrest. (AP PhotoKin Cheung)

Nail roadblocks is placed on road by pro-democracy protesters outside the campus of the University of Hong Kong, early Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019. University students from mainland China and Taiwan are fleeing Hong Kong, while those from three Scandinavian countries have been moved or urged to leave as college campuses become the latest battleground in the city's 5-month-long anti-government unrest. (AP PhotoKin Cheung)