Occupy Central

16 Stories

Hong Kong Bans Protest, Rounds Up Pro-Democracy Leaders

Activists accuse government of trying to spread fear

(Newser) - Hong Kong police arrested well-known activist Joshua Wong and another core member of a pro-democracy group Friday, and authorities denied permission for a major march in what appears to a harder line on this summer's protests. The organizers of Saturday's march, the fifth anniversary of a decision by...

Hong Kong Sentences Protest Leaders to Prison

They say they haven't lost faith in movement

(Newser) - A court in Hong Kong handed down prison sentences of up to 16 months Wednesday to eight leaders of massive 2014 pro-democracy protests after they were convicted earlier this month of public nuisance offenses. The sentences are seen as an effort by the government of the semi-autonomous Chinese territory to...

A 'Crushing Blow for Freedom' in Hong Kong

9 pro-democracy leaders found guilty

(Newser) - A Hong Kong court found nine leaders of 2014 pro-democracy demonstrations guilty Tuesday on public nuisance and other charges, in a verdict that activists say likely presages more restrictions on free expression in the semi-autonomous Chinese territory. Those convicted included law professor Benny Tai, retired sociology professor Chan Kin-man, and...

Hong Kong Dumps China's 'Fake Democracy'

It's a result 'we are unwilling to see,' Beijing warns

(Newser) - "Democracy" where you choose from a list of government-approved candidates isn't worthy of the name, 28 out of 70 legislative council members in Hong Kong have decided—enough to shoot down the controversial voting plan from Beijing that sparked massive protests last year. The rejection means that the...

HK Leader to People: Be More Like Sheep

He praises 'mild' animals in Chinese New Year message

(Newser) - Ever seen a herd of sheep occupy city streets to demand democracy? Neither has CY Leung, and the embattled Hong Kong leader thinks the territory's people could learn a lot from this year's Chinese zodiac animal. "Sheep are widely seen to be mild and gentle animals living...

'We'll Be Back,' Vow Hong Kong Protesters

Cops haul away activists to clear main protest site

(Newser) - Hong Kong police hauled away demonstrators who refused to leave the main pro-democracy protest camp today and tore down their tents in a final push to retake streets occupied by pro-democracy activists for two and a half months. The first person arrested was carried away by four officers by her...

Hong Kong Arrests Pro-Democracy Leaders

At least 116 arrested as police clear protest site

(Newser) - Hong Kong authorities removed street barricades from a pro-democracy protest camp in a volatile district today, part of a two-day operation in which police arrested more than 100 people, including key student leaders. Police in helmets swiftly cleared obstructions, including tents, from the two-month-old protest site in Mong Kok, across...

Protesters Help Clear Part of Hong Kong Protest Camp

Many demonstrators shift tents in response to court order

(Newser) - Backed by a court order, workers removed some barricades today from a Hong Kong democracy protest site where activists have camped out for nearly two months in a standoff with authorities. Student-led demonstrators, who have been protesting for greater democracy in the former British colony, did not resist: Some had...

Hong Kong: No Free Election Because Poor Would Romp

City tense ahead of pro-democracy talks

(Newser) - After more than three weeks of street protests, government officials in Hong Kong have agreed to hold talks with pro-democracy leaders—but Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying appears unwilling to budge on the subject of free elections in 2017, or even the merits of democracy in general. He warns that if...

Chainsaws Meet Bamboo in Hong Kong Protests

Cops chipping away at pro-democracy protest zones

(Newser) - Hong Kong police cleared more barricades today from pro-democracy protest zones that have choked off traffic in key business districts for more than two weeks, signaling authorities' growing impatience with the student-led activist movement. Appearing to use a strategy of gradually chipping away at the three main protest zones, hundreds...

Hong Kong Cops Take Down Protest Barricades

Protest leaders issue call for help

(Newser) - Hong Kong police have removed some barricades used by pro-democracy protesters who have been occupying main roads in the Asian financial center for more than two weeks. Officers started taking away unmanned metal barricades and plastic safety barriers at the edges of the city's Central financial district at 5:...

China Warns of Hong Kong 'Chaos'

Pro-democracy protesters deliver ultimatum

(Newser) - China's ruling party mouthpiece has warned of "chaos" and expressed strong support for Hong Kong's embattled leader in his faceoff with pro-democracy protesters who have threatened to occupy government offices unless he steps down by the end of today. The People's Daily said in a commentary...

Hong Kong: World's Most Polite Protesters?

Sources say authorities have decided to wait protests out

(Newser) - After a feared crackdown never materialized, thousands of pro-democracy protesters remained on the streets of Hong Kong for another day today as China marked the National Day holiday. Even as the numbers of protesters blocking key parts of the city swelled, one of the things that most surprised the world'...

Things Could Intensify in Hong Kong Tomorrow

Chinese National Day holiday could usher in 'tipping point'

(Newser) - Pro-democracy protesters continued to block key roads in Hong Kong today, and while the mood has remained peaceful, some expect a showdown with police is looming ahead of tomorrow's Chinese National Day holiday. Workers have the day off, which could make for larger gatherings. Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung...

'Umbrella Revolution' Paralyzes Parts of Hong Kong

But riot police have largely been called off

(Newser) - Defiant pro-democracy demonstrators in Hong Kong have expanded their protests after police used tear gas and other heavy-handed tactics to try to clear them from the streets yesterday. "Occupy Central" protesters—many of whom camped out on the city's main roads overnight—have occupied key districts of the...

Hong Kong Cops Lob Tear Gas at 'Occupy' Protest

Police warn of 'higher level of force' if protesters don't disperse

(Newser) - Hong Kong police used tear gas today and warned of further measures as they tried to clear thousands of pro-democracy protesters who had gathered outside government headquarters in a challenge to Beijing over its decision to restrict democratic reforms for the semiautonomous city. After spending hours holding the protesters at...

16 Stories
Most Read on Newser