A couple of nights earlier, they were throwing Molotov cocktails during the ongoing anti-government demonstrations in Hong Kong. However, when their friends were arrested by the police, they became worried that they would be next. In desperation, they reached out to a private online group that assists people in escaping to Taiwan. In a matter of hours, they were on a flight to Taipei, the capital city. One of the protesters nervously stated, "We are running from the authorities," while glancing around the food court. "We had little time to understand the situation." After leaving the airport, the group quickly got into a black van and drove off towards an uncertain future. They are part of the over 200 young protesters who have escaped to Taiwan since the beginning of the Hong Kong democracy movement this year. According to lawyers, pastors, and other supporters who have assisted them in leaving, dozens of protesters have arrived in recent weeks after fleeing university campuses under siege by police. Their escape is driven by fears of arrest and violence as clashes between protesters and authorities have escalated, with demonstrators facing tear gas, batons, and water cannons from police. Some protesters, feeling resentful that peaceful tactics did not yield results, have become more aggressive, damaging buildings and attacking police. Over 5,000 people have been arrested since the protests began in June, with hundreds facing potential severe punishments. Despite many individuals pledging to continue the fight, a growing atmosphere of distrust is causing some demonstrators to depart Hong Kong out of concerns about receiving fair treatment in court or potential mistreatment in detention, including reports of sexual assault and rumors of torture. Others are seeking medical treatment in Taiwan after hearing about arrests occurring in Hong Kong hospitals. Protesters and organizers assisting with escapes have emphasized the need to keep certain details and identities confidential to ensure the operation's safety. Chris Ng, a lawyer representing arrested protesters, noted that individuals are aware of the severe consequences they may face for their actions in Hong Kong and have lost confidence in the city's judicial system. Ng mentioned instances where protesters did not appear in court, indicating that they may have fled Hong Kong. Despite being willing to face legal repercussions, protesters doubt they will receive fair treatment or appropriate punishment in Hong Kong's legal system. A secret network of supporters has emerged along the pipeline between Hong Kong and Taiwan, assisting protesters with safe houses, transportation, and exits. Wealthy donors, aid groups, volunteers, fishermen, and pastors are all playing a role in helping protesters escape to safety. Chun Sen Huang, a lively 54-year-old pastor at Chi Nan Presbyterian Church in Taipei, humorously mentioned that he is becoming accustomed to unexpected gatherings. He plays a significant role in the network by serving as a liaison, organizing travel arrangements, securing accommodations, and connecting protesters with various resources in Taiwan. Huang stated that he is always busy responding to requests on his phone, even during church services. He recently encountered a protester seeking help after allegedly being raped by Hong Kong police, and another group of students who escaped from Hong Kong Polytechnic University arrived in Taiwan by plane. Huang helped them contact a lawyer who assisted in obtaining temporary student visas through a Taiwanese university. A mother inquired about finding a new guardian for her 14-year-old son, who had thrown Molotov cocktails. Taiwan, an independent island, is a convenient and hospitable sanctuary for individuals seeking refuge. Similar to Hong Kong, Taiwan has a tradition of welcoming dissidents from mainland China. Despite Beijing's claim that Taiwan is part of China, Taiwanese leaders affirm their autonomy. Many Taiwanese citizens are showing their support for the protests due to concerns about China's interference in Hong Kong and how it may impact the future of their own democratic island. The protests began in response to anger over an extradition bill, which has since been withdrawn, that would have allowed Hong Kong authorities to send a fugitive to Taiwan to face murder charges despite the lack of an extradition treaty between the two regions. Protesters in Hong Kong feared that the change in law could result in dissidents being sent to mainland China for trial, where the courts are influenced by the Communist Party. While Taiwan is embracing the protesters, its government is proceeding cautiously to avoid angering Beijing by enacting more lenient asylum laws. Many individuals who come seeking safety end up in a legal gray area with only temporary visas. Huang, who has been a pastor in Taiwan for 22 years, has assisted numerous dissidents in escaping persecution from the Chinese government, but had never witnessed an operation of this magnitude before. He compared the current situation to "Operation Yellowbird," a clandestine network that helped hundreds of dissidents leave China for Hong Kong following the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989, when Hong Kong was still under British rule. "Darkness can never overcome light," Huang said as he guided five newcomers into the church. "I am confident that democracy and freedom will ultimately triumph over totalitarianism." The choice to stay or flee is a difficult one for protesters. Ali, a senior at Hang Seng University, has been arrested twice and could face up to 10 years in prison. During her second arrest, she was held in a parking lot with 70 other protesters for 48 hours. Ali described the lack of privacy, with male officers entering bathrooms without warning and overhearing interrogations of other protesters. She mentioned that she was accused of rioting without being told why. During her time in custody, she missed her first day of work as an associate teacher at a primary school, resulting in her being dismissed from the job. As she waits for her trial, her aspiration of becoming a teacher is fading. She described the situation as feeling like she is reminiscing about a previous existence. Ali expressed her feelings of despair, stating that her future has been destroyed, while speaking from her grandmother's residence where she currently resides. The situation has led her to question what opportunities are still available to her. With her passport taken away, she would have to depend on smugglers to transport her by boat to Taiwan. However, she is concerned about leaving her elderly grandmother behind, as she is unable to care for herself. The possibility of not being able to come back is also weighing on her mind. Thankfully, there are volunteer groups offering financial assistance to protesters seeking to flee, with one social worker revealing that she has helped 11 protesters make their way to Taiwan. The social worker, who does not have children of her own, expressed a sense of duty to assist young people and fight against totalitarianism. Despite concerns about legal consequences, she has been raising funds for protesters since July, particularly helping a 17-year-old who was kicked out of his home for participating in the protests. She prefers to receive donations in cash and in person to avoid potential undercover police officers. She stated that a large number of people in Hong Kong are dissatisfied, refuting Beijing's claim that only a small group of radical individuals influenced by the US are behind the protests. She mentioned that support for the movement comes from a diverse range of people. In Taiwan, protesters typically receive monthly visas that can be renewed regularly. Daniel, a 22-year-old protester, has been in Taiwan since July on an extended tourist visa. He described his initial involvement in the protests as quite extreme, including storming Hong Kong's legislative building, which was captured on surveillance video. Two police officers approached him on the sidewalk the following day and informed him that they knew who he was. This made Daniel understand that he could no longer deceive himself and had to leave home. Although he managed to avoid being arrested, he does not feel safe. He suspects that his phone has been hacked and that he is being followed. While he receives financial support from an aid group in Hong Kong to cover his living expenses, he worries that the money will not last. The pressure he was under caused him to seek help from a psychologist, who determined he had post-traumatic stress disorder. Daniel explained that the most difficult part for him is the longing he feels for everything he had to abandon. As he was about to leave, he remembered standing at the foot of the stairs to his home, overcome with emotion. This memory is one that he constantly revisits in his mind. "I realized that I might never return to Hong Kong to see my home or my mother again," he expressed. Text from around 2019, provided by The New York Times Company.