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Campus Siege Winds Down as Hong Kong Gears up for Election

Reuters

   HONG KONG - A Hong Kong university campus under siege for more than a
   week was a deserted wasteland Saturday, with a handful of protesters
   holed up in hidden refuges across the trashed grounds, as the city's
   focus turned to local elections.

   The siege neared its end as some protesters at Polytechnic University
   on the Kowloon peninsula desperately sought a way out and others vowed
   not to surrender, days after some of the worst violence since
   anti-government demonstrations escalated in June.

   "If they storm in, there are a lot of places for us to hide," said Sam,
   a 21-year-old student, who was eating two-minute noodles in the
   cafeteria, while plotting his escape.

   Another protester, Ron, vowed to remain until the end with other
   holdouts, adding, "The message will be clear that we will never
   surrender."

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