Hong Kong Protesters Give Ground—For Now
Mother Jones
Pro-democracy protestors in Hong Kong have begun partially removing barricades blocking entrance to key government offices ahead of a government-issued deadline on Monday morning mandating demonstrators clear the way for normal business to resume.
But according to reports, protestors remain divided, with many still rejecting plans to concede.
Midnight in Hong Kong. Connaught Road still very much occupied. Hard to see that changing by morning. #OccupyHK pic.twitter.com/KsszV05naR
— Peter Thal Larsen (@peter_tl)
240 am HK and the main protest site in central is still busy. #OccupyHK #HKStudentStrike pic.twitter.com/D3nYbXRzFw
— Sarah Clarke (@sarahclarkeabc)
Late into the night, about 200 protestors were still present in front of Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying’s office. Some cars were allowed through, including one ambulance that was inspected to ensure no tear-gas cannisters were being carried inside.
still calm. some ppl sleeping; some ppl chatting; some singing songs together. #OccupyHK #HongKong #Admiralty pic.twitter.com/g2ebqADE5m
— patrickpoon潘嘉偉 (@patrickpoon)
Protestors, who are demanding for Leung to step down and to be allowed free elections in 2017, are largely hoping to avoid violent confrontations with police come Monday morning.
“If the government uses force to clear away protesters, there will be no room for dialogue,” Lester Shum told reporters, according to the AP.
But Leung warned he was ready to “take all necessary actions to restore social order” and allow roughly 3,000 civil servants return to work.
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