Student protest leaders speak to a small group of pro-democracy activists as they continue to shut down important thoroughfares in downtown Hong Kong on October 9, 2014. (UPI/Stephen Shaver) |
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HONG KONG, Oct. 10 (UPI) -- Thousands of pro-democracy protesters rallied in Hong Kong Friday evening, a day after the government announced its withdrawal from planned talks.
Prior to the government's announcement, student leaders within the movement called for an escalation of protests if the government offered no concessions. Hong Kong Chief Secretary Carrie Lam said Thursday the protest leaders' call for continuation of the occupation of primary protest sites in the city made it "impossible to have a constructive dialogue," and blamed the leaders for "undermining trust" in the scheduled negotiations.
Friday's rally seemed to mark a resurgence in the movement that saw dwindling numbers since it began Sept. 26. "No one wants to give up before we gain something from this action," said Alex Chow, secretary general of the Hong Kong Federation of Students, before Friday's rally began. "Only by generating more pressure will the government face the public."
From the makeshift stage, academics read aloud a petition condemning the Chinese government for violating Hong Kong's Basic Law for not holding elections for the position of Hong Kong chief executive. Protesters have been calling for incumbent Leung Chun-ying's resignation and for elections to be held.
According to the Basic Law, "The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall be selected by election or through consultations held locally and be appointed by the Central People's Government."
"We condemn the Hong Kong government's lack of goodwill and unwillingness to deal with the situation through genuine dialogue," another speaker said from the make-shift stage.
If the government refuses to dialogue with protesters, Chow warned that further acts of disobedience would follow.
