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             Hong Kong Orders Protesters to Clear Streets by Monday

   by Brian Padden

   Hong Kong's chief executive, Leung Chun-ying, has ordered pro-democracy
   demonstrators to clear the streets starting Monday, saying the roads
   and entrances they have blocked must be reopened.

   Saturday's announcement may end clashes with angry residents but sets
   up another potential confrontation with thousands of protesters who
   refuse to leave.

   It follows a second day of confrontations between protesters and
   residents tired of the disruptions to their work and lives.

   Throughout the day individuals or small groups of angry residents tried
   to instigate confrontations with the activists blocking roads and
   occupying major business districts.

   One man yelled in Cantonese that while the protesters may say they want
   democracy, what they are doing is making the city chaotic.

   Many residents are tired of the disruptions. Miranda Liu said she came
   to shop and got hit by protesters pushing a cart.

   "And then they said we were disturbing them. Is this a peaceful place
   that you use your cart to hit me and then [insult] me?"

   Pro democracy activists like Eric Cheung said they won't respond to
   violence with more violence.

   "We want to show we are innocent so we raise our hands, that's it. We
   didn't do anything. We just stand here peacefully. We want to show our
   wants [intent] to the government, that's it."

   Arrests, injuries

   Hong Kong police arrested 19 people overnight in connection to the
   clashes, which are reported to have injured at least 18 people,
   including several police officers.

   Security forces tried to maintain calm, breaking up fights and
   escorting the aggressive parties away from the crowds. Police officials
   said Friday they detained nine men with connections to the Triad crime
   gangs that were involved in attacks on the mostly student protesters.

   Hong Kong's security chief, Lai Tung-kwok, Saturday dismissed claims
   that city authorities used the gangs against the protesters to try to
   get them off the streets. He called the allegations rumors and said
   they are completely unfounded.

   Tens of thousands of mostly student protesters have occupied some of
   Hong Kong's busiest streets for more than a week, stifling traffic and
   business activity.

   The protesters are calling for the resignation of Chief Executive Leung
   Chun-ying and demanding that China allow democratic elections in 2017.

   The protesters called off talks with Hong Kong's government after
   violent clashes broke out with the opponents of the demonstrations.

   The Hong Kong Federation of Students said authorities failed to
   intervene in "organized attacks" on demonstrators in several main
   protest sites, including the Mong Kok neighborhood.

   Fights broke out when hundreds of supporters of Communist Party rule
   attacked a protest site in Mong Kok, smashing tents and tearing down
   banners.

   The protests mark the biggest unrest in Hong Kong since Beijing took
   control of the one-time British colony in 1997.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/hong-kong-orders-protesters-to-clear-
   streets/2472486.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/hong-kong-orders-protesters-to-clear-streets/2472486.html