Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. After 2 Months, Hong Kongers Prepare to Leave Protest Sites by VOA News Hong Kong protesters are vowing to not give up their fight for democratic reforms, even as they prepare to vacate the camps they have occupied for over two months. Police have given the protesters until Thursday to remove the street barricades at the territory's remaining protest sites in the Admiralty and Causeway Bay neighborhoods. Thousands of police are set to move in to clear the camps, following a ruling by Hong Kong's High Court that gives authorities permission to reopen traffic in the area. Many of the dozens of demonstrators who remain say they will not put up any resistance. Other more radical student groups have hinted they may clash with police. Police have used batons, tear gas and pepper spray during past attempts to break up the protest, which at one point numbered in the tens of thousands. On Tuesday, police spokesman Cheung Tak-keung said police will not tolerate any violence and will take action against "radicals and troublemakers." Protest organizers have been split on whether to continue the demonstrations. Many say it is time to retreat, and seek other ways to push for democratic reforms. At the Admiralty protest site Wednesday, several signs promised simply: "We Will Be Back." The protesters are calling for fully democratic elections for the city's top leader in 2017. Authorities refuse, insisting all candidates for chief executive be approved by a committee made up mainly of people loyal to Beijing. Hong Kong, a former British colony, was returned to China in 1997. As a semiautonomous Chinese territory, its citizens still enjoy many freedoms not allowed on the mainland. __________________________________________________________________ [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/after-2-months-hong-kongers-prepare-t o-leave-protests-sites/2552906.html References 1. http://www.voanews.com/content/after-2-months-hong-kongers-prepare-to-leave-protests-sites/2552906.html