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                Hong Kong Protests Swell After Official Warnings

   by Brian Padden

   Pro-democracy protesters staged a huge rally Saturday in the city's
   business district, a short while after the territory's chief executive
   declared that city streets must be reopened Monday morning.

   Tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered outside the city's
   government headquarters immediately after Chief Executive Leung
   Chun-ying warned that all necessary action will be taken to ensure
   government employee access to offices next week.

   Saturday morning's announcement followed a second day of ugly
   confrontations between protesters and residents tired of the
   disruptions to their work and lives.

   Late Saturday, leaders of Hong Kong's main student union agreed to new
   negotiations with authorities, if the government ensures police
   protection for protesters who came under gang attack in the city's Mong
   Kok district on Friday. Protest leaders also said government employees
   will be allowed to return to work.

   Both sides accuse the other of triggering Friday's violence.

   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 protesters say they want
   democracy, what they are doing is making the city chaotic.

   Miranda Liu, one of many residents who say they are frustrated by the
   disruptions, said she came to shop and got hit by protesters pushing a
   cart.

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

   Pro-democracy activists such as Eric Cheung say they won't respond to
   violence with more violence.

   "We want to show we are innocent so we raise our hands, that's it," he
   said. "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 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, dismissed claims on Saturday
   that city authorities used the gangs against the protesters to try to
   get them off the streets. He called the allegations completely
   unfounded rumors.

   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.

   Demonstrators are calling for the resignation of Chief Executive Leung
   Chun-ying and demanding that Beijing scrap a plan to screen candidates
   ahead of 2017 elections.

   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 counter-protesters who many believe
   are receiving support from China 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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   streets/2472486.html

References

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