Hong Kong protest leaders faced growing pressure to end their pro-democracy sit-in
Passionate, student-led protests for democratic reforms over the past week in Hong Kong have subsided Monday as many residents returned to work. But a few hundred demonstrators remained camped out in the streets, vowing to keep up the pressure on
Hong Kong: Hong Kong protest leaders said on Monday that they had agreed to hold talks with the government as their numbers dwindled and they faced growing pressure to end their pro-democracy sit-in. The mass rallies that had drawn tens of thousands evaporated on Sunday night in the face of a warning from Hong Kong’s embattled leader Leung Chun-ying to leave the streets and allow government offices to reopen.
Many heeded the call but several hundred weary demonstrators remained at the main site in downtown Admiralty, with similar numbers across the harbour in Mongkok. Student leaders denied their campaign for free elections had lost momentum, saying they would remain on the streets, even as they announced that talks with the government would take place this week.
But Leung issued another warning to disperse, saying they should leave the flashpoint district of Mongkok, which has seen ugly scuffles with triad mobs, “as soon as possible”. “To prevent violent crime and to reduce the amount of injuries, police will take action at the right time,” Leung said, describing the area as “high risk”. The well-organised campaign have enjoyed strong public support, with sympathy soaring after police used tear gas on the crowds. But after shutting down parts of the city for more than a week, irritation has grown.
A four-day environment symposium gathering 11 Nobel winners that was due to open on Wednesday has also been scrapped “due to the sustained disruptions,” the organisers said. However, secondary schools closures in affected areas would reopen on Tuesday.
( Source : AFP )
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