Pro-democracy demonstrators have been protesting in Hong Kong for two months to demand free elections, in what came to be called the Umbrella Revolution. An umbrella is pictured on an occupied street in Hong Kong, October 9, 2014. UPI/Stephen Shaver |
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HONG KONG, Nov. 25 (UPI) -- Thousands protested an attempt by police to clear part of a Hong Kong protest encampment, and over 30 were detained Tuesday.
Hundreds of police officers descended on a 50-yard stretch of the city's Argyle Street, in the commercial Mong Kok neighborhood, to enforce an injunction against the occupation by protesters who are demanding municipal elections free of involvement from the Beijing government. After issuing warnings by megaphone to vacate, protesters and onlookers were ordered to disperse; about a dozen of the remaining demonstrators were arrested.
"They did not want our reinforcements to come in the evening, after working hours, so they rushed to clear us off the street," protester Matthew Wong told the New York Times.
The protests followed a demonstration last week at Admiralty Square, another protest encampment area.
"I will stay here until the very end because this is my home. If we lose this site and this battle then the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) will take full control of Hong Kong and it will no longer be the home I know," said a protester identified by British newspaper The Telegraph as Cathy. "Mong Kok protesters won't surrender easily. I'm sure people will return tonight."
By Tuesday evening, the increased number of demonstrators had regrouped, and scuffles broke out across the neighborhood between police and members of the crowd. Police said 32 people were arrested.
Prior to Tuesday, a growing number of Hong Kong residents, and demonstrators, have suggested the protest movement had lost its momentum. A minority of the protesters, though, contend continuous occupation can win concessions from Beijing. Thus far the Chinese government has not budged on its plans to screen the electoral candidates.
