Give me Liberty or Give me Death! Giordano Tycoon joins Occupy Central!

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An honorable member of the Coffee Shop Has Just Posted the Following:


Things really happen very fast in city that never sleeps
Occupy Central suddenly brought forward a few days
Morph into Occupy Gahbrament Buildings what's more
Fatty Jimmy Lai founder of Giordano has joined protest
Declares that like the others he is prepared to be arrested
Fifty thousand people okay Hong Lim got how many
Sinkie Tycoons all merrily hiring cheap foreign talents
All those goggles water bottles and food cost money


Bloomberg News

Occupy Hong Kong Protest Kicks Off Early After Clashes

Pro-democracy protesters were prompted to kick-start their campaign to occupy central Hong Kong after thousands of students descended on the government’s headquarters to demand China withdraws proposals to control the city’s elections in demonstrations that led to clashes with police.

Leaders of Occupy Central With Love and Peace brought forward plans for a mass sit-in aimed at paralyzing the city’s business district as tensions escalated in a fight about democracy that has divided Hong Kong. Co-founder Benny Tai took to a stage early this morning outside the government’s headquarters and demanded China retract its “undemocratic” plan for the election of the territory’s next leader.

Thousands had already rallied outside the headquarters last night to heed a call by student leaders for a mass protest, spurred by earlier clashes when anti-riot police used pepper spray as they cleared demonstrators. Police made 74 arrests and at least 34 people were injured in the skirmishes yesterday, according to official statements.

Pro-democracy protesters were prompted to kick-start their campaign to occupy central Hong Kong after thousands of students descended on the government’s headquarters to demand China withdraws proposals to control the city’s elections in demonstrations that led to clashes with police.

Leaders of Occupy Central With Love and Peace brought forward plans for a mass sit-in aimed at paralyzing the city’s business district as tensions escalated in a fight about democracy that has divided Hong Kong. Co-founder Benny Tai took to a stage early this morning outside the government’s headquarters and demanded China retract its “undemocratic” plan for the election of the territory’s next leader.

Thousands had already rallied outside the headquarters last night to heed a call by student leaders for a mass protest, spurred by earlier clashes when anti-riot police used pepper spray as they cleared demonstrators. Police made 74 arrests and at least 34 people were injured in the skirmishes yesterday, according to official statements.

"Occupy Central will start from occupying government headquarters," Tai told the cheering crowd. “Students and all Hong Kong people who support democracy, we will start a new era of civil disobedience together.”

Students Rally

Occupy Central activists have long threatened a sit-in in the nearby business district as part of efforts to pressure China’s Communist Party government to allow a more open election in the former British colony. Their protest had been expected to start on the Oct. 1 Chinese National Day holiday in the central business district, a subway stop away from the site of the current rally.

With students getting out in front of Occupy Central and attracting more people than Occupy had predicted for its own protest, the movement was forced to follow the students’ lead. Even with Tai declaring the start of the occupation, the groups’ supporters had not yet moved into the streets of the central business district.

The Federation of Students, which started the initial rally at the government headquarters, estimated 50,000 people turned out last night to support them. Volunteers handed out bottles of water, bread and fruit, as well as plastic wrap and facial masks to be used as protection against pepper spray. While Tai’s speech at the site was greeted with cheers, there were signs of tensions between the two groups.

“Some students feel the pace of Occupy Central is too slow,” said Tommy Cheung, a standing committee member of the student group. “This is to occupy the government headquarters. It is not the same as Occupy Central.”

The current rally was started Sept. 26 by students who boycotted classes this week. It escalated when some climbed over fences and clashed with police in riot gear, who dragged some of the protesters away.

Pepper Spray

“No one knows if Occupy Central will achieve our goals, but I want to show the government I want true democracy,” said secondary school student Billy Yeung, 17, who arrived early this morning. “I’m worried about the pepper spray. My parents did stop me from coming. But I explained why and I insisted.”

Pro-democracy lawmakers said police used excessive force. The government said the police response was appropriate and any further assembly was unlawful.

Numbers swelled last night as thousands converged on the scene before Occupy Central leaders joined them to declare the start of its own action. The group demanded that Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying submits a new political reform report to China or face an escalation of actions.

“We’re moved by the participation of the citizens,” Tai told reporters. “We just need to respond.”

‘Say A Prayer’

After a series of speeches, the rally quietened down with protesters sleeping against barricades and on the ground as the police looked on. Next Media Ltd.’s Chairman Jimmy Lai and Martin Lee, 76, the founding chairman of the city’s Democratic Party were also on the site. Both men, decked in rain coats, and goggles, were seated cross-legged at the front of a bunch of students at the entrance of the Legislative Council car park entrance.

“We will be here for as long as it takes,” Lai told reporters. “We’re seeking a free society, not to be cowards. I’m a Hong Kong citizen, so I’m out here doing my part.”
Speaking on the prospect of being arrested, Lee said it’s a risk they had to take. “Say a prayer for us.”

China said last month that candidates for the 2017 leadership election must be vetted by a committee, angering pro-democracy campaigners who say the group is packed with business executives and lawmakers who favor Beijing.

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http://www.businessweek.com/news/201...acy-protesters


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