Advertisement

Hong Kong chief executive: End protests now

A large turnout is expected for Tuesday evening's protests.

By Ed Adamczyk
Hong Kong residents blocked streets in protest Monday (CC/ wikimedia.org/ Citobun)
Hong Kong residents blocked streets in protest Monday (CC/ wikimedia.org/ Citobun)

HONG KONG, Sept. 30 (UPI) -- Hong Kong's chief executive, Leung Chun-ying, demanded a stop Tuesday to the pro-democracy demonstrations that have blocked roads in his city.

Although he made no threats regarding the outcome if Occupy Central, the organizing group, did not disperse the demonstrators, he didn't suggest he would compromise on their demands.

Advertisement

The protesters seek assurances of an election, without influence from Beijing, to choose his successor in 2017.

"Occupy Central founders had said repeatedly that if the movement is getting out of control, they would call for it to stop. I'm now asking them to fulfill the promise they made to society and stop this campaign immediately," Leung said.

It was his first comment on the protests, which began Friday with students demonstrating in Hong Kong's business district, and grew to include tens of thousands who spent the entire weekend in the streets. Police used tear gas in their attempts to move the crowds. Although Occupy Central has considered short pauses in the demonstrations, student leaders are regarded as taking a harder line toward the protests and toward the call for open elections and no interference by Beijing.
Advertisement

A large turnout is expected for Tuesday evening's protests. Wednesday is a national holiday honoring the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Leung noted the street protests are inhibiting the movement of emergency vehicles through the streets, while Hong Kong residents faced long lines in supermarkets for essentials, an indication the population of the city is expecting a prolonged crisis. A hot weather alert was announced for Tuesday, indicating protesters should expect temperatures of 90 degrees Fahrenheit and little breeze.

Latest Headlines