Thursday 11 December 2014

Hong Kong protests: Arrests as Admiralty site is cleared

More than 200 activists have been arrested in Hong Kong after police cleared the main pro-democracy protest camp at Admiralty.
The dismantling passed off peacefully, but many activists vowed to continue with other forms of civil disobedience.
Police began their operation early on Thursday in what is widely seen as the final act in the long-running protests.
The demonstrations have dwindled in recent weeks from the tens of thousands who turned out in September.
Activists want Beijing to allow free elections for the territory's next leader in 2017. China says everyone can vote but a pro-Beijing committee will screen candidates.
High profile arrests
Watch: Key moments as Hong Kong police clear the protest camp
Police officers started to clear the camp and dismantle tents after issuing orders for protesters to vacate the "occupied area" within 30 minutes or face arrest.
Among those arrested were opposition Democratic Party founder Martin Lee, student leader Nathan Law, media tycoon Jimmy Lai and singer Denise Ho.
A pro-democracy protester (C) is arrested after police cleared a major pro-democracy protest camp next to the central government offices in the Admiralty district in Hong Kong on 11 December 2014. Police officers carried a number of protesters away from Hong Kong's main pro-democracy site
Hong Kong police begin to dismantle the remaining pro-democracy tents set up along a road at the protest camp in the Admiralty district of Hong Kong on 11 December  2014.They gave a 30-minute window for demonstrators to leave or face arrest before moving into Admiralty
Police stand as they clear an area, previously blocked by pro-democracy, near the government headquarters building at the financial Central district in Hong Kong, 11 December 2014.There was a tense standoff as police lined up in preparation to dismantle what remains of the camp
As police approached the last remaining protesters, Alex Chow, head of the Hong Kong Federation of Students, rallied the crowds, saying the fight was not over, AP reports.
Meanwhile, a dozen people who opposed the protests turned up to cheer on the police, the South China Morning Post reports.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-30426346

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