[Occupymendocino] News from Occupy Hong Kong

Thu Oct 2 16:58:58 PDT 2014

Daniel Baker was remarking about Occupy HOng Kong and their fight for democracy. If anyone asks just what Occupy is doing these days,
mention this.  I shudder to think of what the consequences might be. richard

http://www.scmp.com/topics/occupy-central?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=US&utm_campaign=OC

3.23am: Police in Singapore have released a statement after reports that six Hongkongers were questioned following an Occupy solidarity event in the city-state on October 1.

“In response to media queries, police confirm that several foreigners are currently assisting with investigations into offences under the Public Order Act. No arrest has been made. The Speakers’ Corner [the site of the event] is a designated site for Singapore citizens to speak freely on issues as long as they do not touch on racial or religious matters. Only Singapore citizens and permanent residents are allowed to participate in demonstrations held at the Speakers’ Corner. Foreigners and organizers of assemblies and processions involving foreigners are required to obtain a police permit before they can use the Speakers’ Corner.

"While foreigners are allowed to work or live here, they have to abide by our laws. They should not import their domestic issues from their countries into Singapore and conduct activities which can disturb public order. Those who break the law will be seriously dealt with.” 

3.00am: At protest camps around the city some protesters are settling in for their fifth straight night sleeping on the streets. In Causeway Bay, Wan Chai, Admiralty and Central, smaller crowds than on previous nights are still gathered, reflecting on Leung Chun-ying's decision not to resign as chief executive. There are reduced crowds too camped out in Mong Kok and Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon.   

2.45am: The battle of Lung Wo Road continues as hundreds of protesters try to stop dozens of others who are blocking westbound lanes of the crucial link between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Student leaders urged protesters not to block the road, fearing a public backlash over the massive traffic disruption it would cause.

"They are asking us not to block the road because it can affect people. But isn't the aim of the Occupy movement to affect people?" said computer science student Danny Mok. People surrounding the group staging the sit-in on the road are shouting "This is pointless" as tempers flare.

2.18am: The Federation of Students, who initiated the class boycott that gave rise to the occupation of Hong Kong, said in a statement that it hoped the government would announce details about the meeting between senior officials and students "as soon as possible", adding that Carrie Lam needed to "shoulder the responsibility and engage in an open dialogue". The group, led by Alex Chow and Lester Shum, did not rule out the possibility of escalating the civil disobedience campaign, saying that would depend on the outcome of the meetings.

A government source earlier suggested that the talks would take place no earlier than Saturday. 

2.12am: About 30 protesters have now blocked the westbound lanes on Lung Wo Road, which links Hong Kong Island to Kowloon on the other side of Victoria Harbour. Student leaders had asked the protesters not to occupy the crucial road, fearing a public backlash, but some students angry at Chief Executive Leung chun-ying's failure to resign want to escalate their protest.

Some protest "marshalls" try to keep traffic lanes open on Lung Wo Road in Tamar. Photo: Robert Ng

A group of protesters try to block Lung Wo Road. Photo: Joyce Ng

Some protesters form a human chain to keep others from blocking more traffic lanes on Lung Wo Road. Photo: Ernest Kao

1.47am: A government source has indicated that the meeting between senior officials and student leaders will take place no earlier than Saturday. Meanwhile, key student leader Lester Shum addressed the crowd outside the chief executive's office following Leung Chun-ying's speech.

"It is the first time since August 31 [the date of the NPC ruling], that a minister has agreed to talk to students and citizens. This is a critical moment ... But the chief secretary [Carrie Lam] also warned that if we charge the police's cordon, they will try to clear the scene again ... and our friends will be injured," Shum said.

"If we occupy Lung Wo Road, a lot of citizens will also strongly oppose it. But we need the citizens to support and fight with us. We want universal suffrage ... If [during the talks] Carrie Lam just repeats that she has to strictly follow the national legislature's decision ... There are plenty of chances to escalate our actions, such as occupying Lung Wo Road," Shum said.

The crowd responded with applause, but Shum's speech was also interrupted by some protestors who questioned him: "When will you meet her? What are your bargaining points?"

1.23am: In a statement Occupy Central leaders said they welcomed the news of talks between the students and the government.

"Occupy Central with Love and Peace (OCLP) welcomes the news that Chief Secretary Carrie Lam will meet with the students. OCLP hopes the talks can provide a turning point in the current political stalemate. We will fully support the students in the process. OCLP respects the students' position that they will concentrate on discussing political reform at the negotiating table. However, we reiterate our view that Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying is the one responsible for the stalemate, and that he must step down. In order to achieve real universal suffrage, the National People's Congress Standing Committee must withdraw its decision on Hong Kong's political reform."

The NPC ruled in August that a 1,200-strong committee must select two or three candidates to run in the next chief executive election, set to be Hong Kong's first by universal suffrage. Critics said that process would amount to "fake democracy". 

1.18am: The reaction to the chief executive's speech from protesters gathered in Causeway Bay is slightly more positive than elsewhere. "It's better than nothing," said Erica Lung, 29. "At least we can start discussing." However, Lung echoed the view that Leung is shying away from his responsibilities by appointing his deputy Carrie Lam to conduct negotiations with the students.

Chloe Leung, 30, also criticised the chief executive, but said that "he finally addressed the issue", which means "that [the protesters'] work has been good".

Chan Tsz Fung, a 22-year-old student, has been in Causeway Bay since the beginning of the week. "I was happy at first, but I don't know what will come of [the negotiations]. I hope for the best. I hope that CY shows that he is with the Hong Kong people." Chan said that the meeting should be public, so that everybody could follow the issue closely.

1.00am: Here's some immediate analysis of Leung's announcement from one of our senior editors, Niall Fraser.

"Well, well, well. Talk about going down to the wire. As the world watched the clock tick down to the students' deadline, Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying and his number two Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said they would sit down and talk to the students on political reform.

It's hard to see this as anything other than the ultimate fudge, a time-buying short-term solution to a long-term problem. Realistically though, it was the only way out for both sides at this 11th hour. The drama was heightened by the last minute appearance of the heads of two of Hong Kong's top universities.

The fundamental problems still exist and the pressure on these talks will be immense. A significant body of the public - most of them with an abiding antipathy to the administration - has been galvanised and politicised. Those who care nothing for politics have seen a completely new side to this great city.

What an incredible few days. This is most certainly not over, but now at least, we can catch our breath and reflect."

LIVE: Scuffles break out among Occupy protesters after CY Leung refuses to resigGood morning and welcome to our continuing 24-hour Occupy Central coverage. Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying has vowed not to resign despite an ultimatum from students demanding that he step down. Leung announced minutes before the midnight deadline set by the students that he had appointed his deputy Carrie Lam to lead a team of senior officials to meet with student lead
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