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Weekend of Hong Kong Protests Begins as Beijing Accuses US

Associated Press

   HONG KONG - Hong Kong civil servants and supporters crowded into a
   public park Friday to join a pro-democracy movement that China's top
   diplomat accused Western nations of provoking.

   Several thousand joined the rally for government workers in solidarity
   with protesters who have called for greater rights and government
   accountability over the past two months. As rain hit the umbrella-ready
   crowd, attendees dispersed willingly, avoiding the police clashes that
   have increasingly beleaguered demonstrations.

   "As civil servants, if we don't stand up, that means we are disloyal,"
   said K. H. Wu, a retiree who worked for the government's Census
   Department for 40 years. "Our loyalties are not to a particular
   government, but to the people."

   Wu attended the rally with his wife, also a civil servant. He said this
   was the first time he participated in a rally in which he openly shared
   his status as a former government worker. He said he did so because he
   feels "there's nothing to be afraid of."

   "Right now the Hong Kong government is blindly leading the people," Wu
   said. "They disregard the needs of the population. With Hong Kong like
   this right now, you have to rid yourself of all fear."

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