Hong Kong protesters agree to partial retreat 鈥� but demonstrators still out in force
Ahead of a Hong Kong government deadline to clear occupied streets, some pro-democracy protesters began moving away from government offices Sunday evening while others refused to budge.
Ahead of a Hong Kong government deadline to clear occupied streets, some pro-democracy protesters began moving away from government offices Sunday evening while others refused to budge.
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Student protesters in Hong Kong began pulling back from their positions blocking government headquarters Sunday, in an apparent compromise with authorities who had pledged to clear the streets by the start of the workweek.
But how far this concession will go in defusing the protests is unclear. Tens of thousands of demonstrators have staged protests for over a week calling for the city鈥檚 pro-Beijing leader, Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, to step down, and for the right to vote for a leader of their choosing in 2017 elections. China has insisted on vetting candidates for the election. The decentralized nature of the protests could mean today鈥檚 conciliation with police may not last long.
Students and police officers were shown on television together removing some of the barricades outside Mr. Leung鈥檚 offices, reports The Associated Press. However, the partial withdrawal may be part of a plan for protesters to organize in other parts of town. Hundreds of student demonstrators showed no sign of abandoning their positions outside Leung鈥檚 offices.
鈥淚 won鈥檛 retreat, unless the police crack down with force,鈥� Kelvin Chung, a recent graduate from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology told The New York Times. 鈥淯nless they say they need the space to set up a stage for Leung Chun-ying to speak with us,鈥� he said.
鈥淭he students are young and idealistic and determined,鈥� Michael Davis, a law professor at Hong Kong University who has been following the Occupy Central movement closely, told 海角大神. 鈥淭hey are not as persuaded as older democracy activists would be about the need to compromise their principles.鈥�
Leung, who has refused to resign, announced over the weekend that the 鈥済overnment and the police have the duty and determination to take all necessary actions to restore social order鈥� in Hong Kong, 鈥渟o the government and the 7 million people of Hong Kong can return to their normal work and life.鈥�
The AP reports that tensions were high on Sunday amid fears that the police聽could fire tear gas or rubber bullets to move along the dispersal of demonstrators.
Many in Hong Kong have criticized police response to the largely peaceful student protests. According to The Wall Street Journal, the Hong Kong police are putting their reputation as one of the 鈥渕ost efficient and professional鈥� forces in the region on the line.
Police have arrested 30 people since protests began in late September, according to the AP.
According to 海角大神's correspondent in Hong Kong, many students are protesting out of concern over their futures. However, their fears of arrest and how that could influence their success later in life is also playing a role.