#OccupyCentral thread: Give me Liberty or Give me Death!

[DianWei]

Re: Give me Liberty or Give me Death! Giordano Tycoon joins Occupy Central!


OCCUPY CENTRAL - DAY 17: Full coverage of the day's events

PUBLISHED : Tuesday, 14 October, 2014, 5:52am
UPDATED : Wednesday, 15 October, 2014, 1:05am

Staff reporters

Photo: Vicky Feng

Good evening and welcome to our ongoing live coverage of Hong Kong's Occupy movement.

Hundreds of police with power tools tore down protesters’ barricades on Queensway in Admiralty this morning, following a swiftly executed dawn operation to remove a number of blockades in Causeway Bay.

In Tseung Kwan O, anti-Occupy protesters defied a court order and once again blocked the entrances to the Apple Daily newspaper headquarters, delaying the paper's delivery for a second day.
___________________________________

12am: And with that, we're wrapping up today's live blog. It's been an action-packed last few hours, with the re-occupation of Lung Wo Road in Admiralty and speculation that police are planning to tear down barricades in Mong Kok early on Wednesday. We will resume the live blog at 5am, so stay tuned for all the latest on the pro-democracy protests.

11.50pm: The top mainland representative in Hong Kong said Beijing had “prepared for the worst” fearing the Occupy Central protests would drag on “for some time”.

Zhang Xiaoming, director of the central government’s liaison office in Hong Kong, made the remark to members of the city’s main pro-government party in Shenzhen on Sunday, but did not elaborate.

11.45pm: A student from Polytechnic University said pro-democracy protesters' "re-occupation" of Lung Wo Road is a "small victory" for the movement, especially after police tore down the barricades on Queensway this morning.

The road is adjacent to the avenue that fronts CY Leung's office. "We expressed our sincerity when we left Lung Wo Road [last week]. We are forced to take it back ... We need more bargaining chip [for future talks]," said the student.

Lau I-lung, a spokesman for the student activist group Scholarism, said neither they nor the Federation of Students initiated the move to reclaim the road. He said they were only observers.

But he said authorities "ambushing" protest zones, removing barriers and refusing to speak to students might have triggered the latest events. "I think tonight's action was triggered by this," he said.

Several hundred protesters are gathered in front of the chief executive's office, while others are setting up layers and layers of fencing and concrete boards on Lung Wo Road, where all lanes are now blocked.

Photo: Nora Tam

Photo: Nora Tam

Photo: Dickson Lee

11.30pm: Causeway Bay: There's a more alert atmosphere in Causeway Bay after news of the tense stand-off on Lung Wo Road. More police, numbering around 100, have been deployed to the area.

An estimated 200 protesters are now camped out on Yee Wo Street, near Hennessy. Some protesters are starting to put on face masks and goggles.

11.15pm: Mong Kok: Protesters were almost hit when bags of rubbish were hurled from a nearby building. The white bags were filled with what looked like dead insects and leaves, and oozed with a yellow-brown sludge.

Kate Wong, a witness, said: "I heard a loud noise and when I walked over I saw people had scattered and some people were washing brown stuff off their arms."

Police set up a cordon and some officers were sent up to the building, Cornwall Court, to investigate, but they were not allowed in by security guards. Protesters have surrounding the building, demanding that the guards allow the officers in.

It had been largely uneventful all evening, with dozens of anti-triad police clad in black vests patrolling the area.

People Power legislator Albert Chan Wai-yip and fellow member Tam Tak-chi had earlier urged protesters to "take Thursday off" from the camp and help other protesters surround the Legislative Council complex, on the day that Leung Chun-ying will face a question-and-answer session with lawmakers.

"We must prevent him from leaving until he answers for his secret HK$50 million payout," Tam said. "This is another way we can scale up this movement."

Meanwhile, TV crews are watching a thin barricade at the junction of Nathan Road and Dundas Street, in case that is the starting point when police swoop in to clear barricades.

11.05pm: Lung Wo Road remained blocked off to traffic. Protesters have moved in more barricades to seal off the road, effectively expanding the Admiralty protest site.

Photo: Danny Lee

10.50pm: More on how the stand-off on Lung Wo Road started: A dozen students had rushed to the westbound side of Lung Wo Road, with one of them climbing onto a road barrier between the west and eastbound lanes. He was pulled back by policemen.

Fearing he would be arrested, crowds rushed in to shield him with umbrellas. More protesters came in from both sides of the road, ignoring the vehicles that were still passing.

In response, police raised a red flag and brought out their batons.

10.44pm: Protesters have cleared a lane so police could retreat. The crowds started cheering as officers began backing away and making their way to the government headquarters nearby. Police are setting up more barricades there.

WATCH: Crowds cheer as police retreat after a clash on Lung Wo Road

<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/jjE53ootcfM?rel=0" allowfullscreen="" height="360" width="640" frameborder="0"></iframe>

10.14pm: Admiralty: Dozens of police with batons, helmets and shields arrive after protesters rushed to Lung Wo Road, triggering a stand-off.

Police wanted to arrest one protester and more officers came for back-up, reporters at the scene said. The officers were carrying batons and a flag that warned people not to cross police cordons.

Police were momentarily surrounded, however, when hundreds of protesters arrived, chanting and jeering. One officer pleaded for calm and for the demonstrators to disperse peacefully.

However, police began pushing protesters at the Central-bound side of the road, and one or two protesters were hit with batons.

The Federation of Students said pepper spray was fired at the site, and some journalists reported being hit, according to initial reports.

Police arrive near the government headquarters. Photo: Vicky Feng

Photo: Vicky Feng

9.45pm: A soccer fan carrying a pro-Occupy Central placard was barred from entering the Hong Kong Stadium to watch tonight’s Hong Kong vs Argentina match.

“The security guard checked my bag … and found the placard. They refused to let me in, and said this is the order from their superiors," said Wong Man-lee, 26, who paid HK$1,800 to watch the game.

Wong said she got the placard, featuring a yellow umbrella and the words “support Hong Kong”, from people distributing them near the stadium.

"[The guards] said I could put it down and get it back when I leave. They also said the placard was provocative, but I just don't understand that," said Wong, who was allowed in when she dropped the sign.

Wong said “hundreds of other fans with the placards” were refused entry. She asked to meet a representative of the Hong Kong Football Association about it, to no avail.

Argentina fans carry signs of support for Occupy outside the Hong Kong Stadium. Photo: James Porteous

9.05pm: Civic Party lawmaker Alan Leong Kah-hit revealed the four urgent questions about Occupy that would be posed to Hong Kong's security chief Lai Tung-kwok at a Legislative Council meeting tomorrow. They are:

1. According to international standards, police should use tear gas when violent clashes occur and the crowd refuse to stop their advance after warnings. Why would the police use tear gas on September 28? (Question by lawmaker Frederick Fung Kin-kee)

2. What is the approval mechanism behind the use of tear gas? Is it necessary to consult the Chief Executive? (Cyd Ho Sau-lan)

3. The police reacted slowly to clashes in Mong Kok. Are they indulging violence? (Helena Wong Pik-wan)

4. A police banner warns protesters of tear gas on one side, while the other side of it warns them of gun shots. When and why are those confusing banners made? (Kwok Ka-ki)

The questions are part of moves in Legco to inquire further into the pro-democracy movement, including its finances, and how police handled the protests.

8.45pm: Admiralty: People guarding protest barricades at the east and west ends of Harcourt Road are contemplating what to do in case police try to dismantle their makeshift blockades. About 20 protesters are on sentry duty at both the Central-bound and Wan Chai ends of Harcourt.

John Lam, 23, one of the sentries on Connaught Road Central, said the six-lane thoroughfare was not strategic enough to hold off an advance towards the Harcourt protest site, as police could enter via Cotton Tree Drive instead.

“It would be quite pointless if there are only a dozen of us sitting here and we get arrested at this moment,” Lam said. Still, “it's not worth retreating even before the police take any action".

Those on the Wan Chai side said they would decide if they should strengthen their roadblocks after a meeting with student activist groups and pan-democrats tonight. Some barricade guards noted that their opinions were not considered in previous meetings.

Vincent Lau, 17, who helps around 20 others secure two roadblocks at the Cotton Tree Drive flyover, leading to Harcourt, said they did not take orders from “anyone who claims to be the organiser”.

"We will sit before the roadblock if officers try to remove it," Lau said. The existing roadblock comprises iron fences, umbrellas and unused building materials. Lau said they would add fortifications to it later this evening.

Protesters stopped building a new line of defence at the junction of Rodney Street and Drake Street after two plain-clothes policemen warned them that the structure could pose a danger to the public, and that it was illegal to block the road. The police officers left after demonstrators started jeering and chanting.

A barricade in Mong Kok. Photo: Stuart Lau

8.25pm: Causeway Bay: A man holding a torch started repeatedly flashing the light at protesters and shouting at them for blocking part of the road. “We are all Chinese people. You think you are Hongkongers but not Chinese,” he yelled.

Demonstrators told him to “go back to China”.

Earlier this afternoon, an irate woman tried to tear away pro-Occupy messages that were taped to or strung across the barricades. Three female protesters responded by holding up a white umbrella on which was written a message urging more harmony among Hongkongers.

7.45pm: Mong Kok: Police's warning of an imminent clearing of barricades has failed to sour the mood at the Mong Kok protest camp, where an estimated 100 people are gathered and surrounded by dozens of onlookers. Several people who have just finished work are joining the sit-in, while others are observing the goings-on.

There is no sign of police movement so far. Student Jack Lau, 19, said he was prepared to stand his ground. "I know [the police] will be coming. I hope they will act with restraint," he said.

"Their actions have been quite dubious recently. It was obviously a coordinated effort," Lau said, speculating on the timing of the tearing-down of barricades after a masked mob tried to do the same in Admiralty.

S.P. Lau, a protester who works in nearby Sham Shui Po, said if police came to clear the area, he would not resist. "If Mong Kok is lost, I guess I will just go to Admiralty," Lau said.

7.30pm: How do Hongkongers feel about Occupy’s future after police tore down some barricades today? Here is what people are telling SCMP reporters in the streets:

Danny Lee, 24, insurance agent: “I have mixed feelings. On one hand, I am glad because the buses are running. But on the other hand, I am worried about the prospects of the movement. I support the students.”

Mrs Yip, 63, grandmother: “Hong Kong shouldn’t become like the mainland. The Communist Party is corrupt and likes to bully the weak and the poor. Whether we continue the Occupy [movement] or not depends on how the government acts. So far [officials] have not even attempted to shift, so why should we?”

Eddy Wong, 30, insurance agent: “I agree with the police’s action. I’m happy that the road was opened and I’m able to get a bus. [For days] I had to take the MTR or walk to Victoria Park before I could catch a bus.”

Ming Tong, office worker: “I haven’t been much affected [by the blockades] anyway – as long as the MTR is working.”

Mark Lee, 27, Hongkonger residing in the United States: “I flew back last Friday. [My parents] think it’s unsafe for me to come back ... Part of the reason we emigrated to the States were concerns about Hong Kong’s political situation. That’s the difference with our generation: when we feel there are problems, we come to the streets to do something about it.

“After almost two weeks of protests, the government has not done anything or even compromised. That makes me angry. There’s little chance of protesters winning this time, but there is still hope."

A girl holds up signs reading, "Strike to the end" and "Never give up." Photo: Nora Tam

7.15pm: The Hospital Authority said the total number of people who have sought help from accident and emergency services rose to 188 since the protests broke out, with six new cases since yesterday.

Of the total, 181 have been discharged, while those in hospital are in stable condition.

6.50pm: Normal operations resumed for 60 buses after police cleared both ends of Queensway of barricades, assistant commissioner for transport Albert Su said in a regular press briefing.

"We endeavour to work with bus companies to restore more bus services," Su said. Trams which run from Kennedy Town to Happy Valley were also running.

This means the discretionary bus route 40M, from Central to Pokfield Road, will be discontinued starting tomorrow.

However, 11 bus routes via Admiralty are still suspended and 216 buses must take detours, Su said. A bus terminal on Rodney Street remains shut because protesters are holding a sit-in there.

About 23 minibus routes all over Hong Kong are still affected, he said, and there is no guarantee that the traffic situation would improve. “More people will start to use their own vehicles again and this will add pressure to the roads,” he said.

Su urged people to stick to public transport for now.

Undersecretary for Home Affairs Florence Hui said the public sentiment against the movement had reached a “breaking point”. She urged protesters to bear in mind the well-being of others and to leave peacefully as soon as possible.

Crowds trickle in to Harcourt Road. Photo: Kathy Gao

6.30pm: Nearly 100 people are still occupying Yee Wo Street in front of Sogo department store, forced to concentrate their numbers there after police removed most of the barricades. Buses have for the first time in two weeks started travelling on two lanes of Yee Wo Street.

Meanwhile, in Admiralty, more people have started trickling in at dusk. Two people on wheelchairs arrived, saying they came by MTR and planned to stick around until 9pm. "I'm not afraid of police using violence. I'm more concerned about the safety of those teenagers,” one of the two, Paul Lee, said.

Towards Queensway, around 150 protesters remained sitting on Rodney Street, facing a police cordon. After hours at the sit-in, five protesters feel the need to stand up and stretch. “We do some exercises to energise ourselves,” one of them said.

5.35pm: Police said they would soon take action in Mong Kok after removing barricades in Causeway Bay and Admiralty this morning.

Police spokesman Steve Hui Chun-tak, speaking at a regular press briefing, said officers would remove big obstacles in Mong Kok to restore partial - if not full - traffic.

He described Mong Kok as a "high-risk area" and prone to commotions.

Hui stressed that the planned action was not a clearance (ejecting protesters from the area) but a removal of barricades. But he urged protesters not to interfere with the officers. "Otherwise, they will be removed," he said. "We do not rule out [the possibility of] making arrests."

The sit-in protest in Admiralty continues. Photo: Nora Tam

 

[DianWei]

Re: Give me Liberty or Give me Death! Giordano Tycoon joins Occupy Central!


Beijing 'prepared for the worst' as it expects HK pro-democracy protests to drag on

PUBLISHED : Wednesday, 15 October, 2014, 12:51am
UPDATED : Wednesday, 15 October, 2014, 12:51am

Gary Cheung [email protected]

Protesters reinforce barricades near the government headquarters. Photo: Dickson Lee

Police cleared some of the main barricades in Admiralty and Causeway Bay yesterday but demonstrators remained and the top mainland representative in Hong Kong said Beijing had “prepared for the worst” fearing the Occupy Central protests would drag on “for some time”.

Traffic resumed in Queensway in Admiralty at noon after hundreds of police officers tore down bamboo scaffolding in the main road linking Wan Chai, Admiralty and Central.

The move followed a swiftly executed dawn operation to remove barricades in Causeway Bay yesterday morning.

Police are expected to remove barriers in Mong Kok today. But last night, protesters "re-occupied" Lung Wo Road, adjacent to the avenue in front of the chief executive's office, after a tense stand-off between police and protesters.

Police in helmets and shields arrived at around 10.15pm after dozens of protesters apparently tried to block traffic on that road. They tried to push back protesters in the Central-bound side of the road, but were surrounded by crowds who came to support protesters and ensure that no one would be arrested.

Police eventually retreated, while the protesters set up new barricades on Lung Wo.

Defiant protesters vowed to stay put. Last night, hundreds remained in Harcourt Road near the government headquarters and in tents on Connaught Road Central in Admiralty.

A coalition of truck drivers, who had earlier threatened to remove barricades in protest zones on their own, will meet today to discuss their next move.

Zhang Xiaoming, director of the central government’s liaison office in Hong Kong, said the central government expected the protests to drag on “for some time” and had “prepared for the worst”. He made the remark to members of the city’s main pro-government party in Shenzhen on Sunday.

“Zhang didn’t elaborate on what was meant by ‘prepare for the worst’,” a member of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong said. “I think the central government hopes the stalemate can be resolved peacefully but it won’t abandon its principles.”

Beijing has rejected protesters’ calls to rethink its restrictive framework for political reform.

“Zhang told us as the protests unfold, many Hongkongers had been inconvenienced and public opinion would be on our side,” the DAB member said.

Zhang and Chen Zuoer, former deputy director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, described the protests as a “colour revolution”, a label given by Vice-Premier Wang Yang on Saturday.

Chen, chairman of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies, said that people were manipulating the movement in an effort to topple the Hong Kong government.

“Democracy and the rule of law are the pillars underpinning Hong Kong’s prosperity and social stability. But they have come under threat from the Occupy protests,” he said.

There was also a fresh claim in mainland media of overseas influence. A commentary in a news portal affiliated with China News Service said US diplomats and intelligence officials in Hong Kong had helped plan the protests.

The city’s Anglican Archbishop the Most Reverend Paul Kwong called for people to work together to resolve the conflict.

“We are deeply saddened and distressed by the increasing social conflict,” he said. “All people in Hong Kong share the gravity of the situation.”

Reuters reported that Beijing would give no ground to the protests but did not want a bloody crackdown. It said the position was set by the National Security Commission chaired by President Xi Jinping x this month. It said Beijing would send in the People’s Liberation Army only if there were widespread killing, arson and looting.

 

[DianWei]

Re: Give me Liberty or Give me Death! Giordano Tycoon joins Occupy Central!


LIVE: ‘Police attacked us too’, say Human Rights Monitor as outrage mounts over alleged beating

PUBLISHED : Wednesday, 15 October, 2014, 4:11am
UPDATED : Wednesday, 15 October, 2014, 12:10pm

Staff reporters

Ken Tsang Kin-chiu was allegedly beaten by police officers after an operation to clear Lung Wo Road on Wednesday morning. Photo: Civic Party/Screenshot

Good afternoon and welcome to our ongoing live coverage of Hong Kong's Occupy movement.

Police used pepper spray and arrested 45 people to forcibly clear Lung Wo Road in the early hours of Wednesday. The road in Admiralty had been re-occupied by protesters late on Tuesday.

TVB aired footage of what they say is a group of police officers beating a handcuffed protester, later idenitified as Civic Party member Ken Tsang Kin-chiu, after the operation.

In Tseung Kwan O, anti-Occupy protesters defied a court order and once again blocked the entrances to the Apple Daily newspaper headquarters overnight.

________________________________________

12.05pm: Human Rights Monitor director Law Yuk-kai says the alleged police attack on Ken Tsang could breach the Crimes (Torture) Ordinance, and the officers involved could be jailed for life if they are proved guilty of inflicting severe pain on another while performing official duties.

"Police officers are supposed to protect members of the public and they should never let their emotions prompt them to do anything illegal," he says.
Law says Human Rights Monitor observers, apparently wearing identification vests and helmets, were also attacked by the police in the early hours of this morning.

"This is totally unacceptable and they have breached the Johannesburg Principles – an international standard which gives [human rights observers] the right to monitor the scene," he says.

Law describes the police's "unprofessional act" last night as an "erosion of the police force's image", urging the force and its watchdog to investigate the case.

Noon: Ken Tsang arrived at Ruttonjee Hospital in Wan Chai by ambulance, accompanied by Civic Party vice-chairwoman Tanya Chan and escorted by police, about half an hour ago. He entered the hospital through the emergency doors.

Three more protesters arrive shortly after Tsang in separate ambulances, also escorted by police, registering at reception before going to the emergency ward.

11.50am: Occupy Central have released more photos of Ken Tsang taken this morning, showing more bruises to his face and his back.

A side view of Ken Tsang's face.

Marks on Ken Tsang's back.

11.45am: Recent graduate Kyle Yeung, 24, says he witnessed the alleged police beating of Ken Tsang after spending the night by government headquarters in Admiralty.

“At around 3am a crowd of policemen in riot gear, hundreds of them, showed up and started pushing us, trying to drive us off Lung Wo Road,” he says.

“I was in the middle, so I was trying to help the people who had been hit by pepper spray. I saw at least 10 [protesters hit by pepper spray]. We retreated to the protest zone outside Legco and stayed there for the rest of the night.

“I'm very dissatisfied with what the police did. If they wanted to arrest us, we would have gone along with that, but I saw them deliberately beating up students and protesters.

“There was one protester who had his hands up, but the police said they were provoked so they dragged him to a corner and beat him up. A lot of people, including the media, saw this. We couldn't see it until reporters shone their lights because it was so dark.

“We'll leave as soon as the government gives us an answer that satisfies us. I'm confident not many citizens want to spend so much time sleeping in the streets.

“If the police push us away, we'll leave and regroup somewhere else.”

11.30am: Now TV broadcasts footage which they say shows Ken Tsang throwing water onto police in the moments before he was detained.

A man wearing a black Corinthians Brazilian football club T-shirt – the same as the one worn by Tsang in photos released this morning – can be seen in the video standing on the top of a tunnel wall, squirting liquid from a bottle onto police officers standing below on Lung Wo Road.

Here’s a link to the video.

http://news.now.com/home/local/player?newsId=115049

A protester, alleged to be Ken Tsang, pours liquid on police. Photo: SCMP Pictures

11.25am: Pro-government lawmaker Tam Yiu-chung’s proposal to set up an inquiry into the Occupy Central protests’ organisation and financial sources was earlier endorsed by 37 pro-government lawmakers, including Tam himself.

Meanwhile, Democratic Party lawmaker Sin Chung-kai’s proposal to set up an inquiry into the police’s handling of Occupy Central protests was endorsed by 25 pan-democrat lawmakers, including Sin himself.

11.20am: Speaking to the media earlier before attending a Legco meeting, Secretary for Security Lai Tung-kwok announced that "the personnel concerned have been transferred away from the current positions", after the Complaints Against Police Office received a complaint about the alleged attack on Ken Tsang.

11.15am: Angry protesters hurl insults at the handful of legislators going into the Legislative Council, accusing them of being “communist dogs” and “scum”, among other things.

Reporters question the lawmakers about the video footage of Ken Tsang’s alleged beating by police.

Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee talks to reporters for more than two minutes – and gets the lion's share of the scolding for her troubles.

"No one should draw any conclusions before an investigation is complete. I was watching on TV last night as well and the situation was very confusing. The police are under immense pressure. They were even forced to take shelter in a tunnel at one point," she says.

When asked why she condemned protesters charging a police barrier but not the police allegedly beating up a protester, Ip replies that charging a police barrier is illegal, drawing another angry outburst from protesters.

Legislator Ann Chiang Lai-wan passed by earlier, wearing a blue ribbon on her dress. She arrived earliest, avoiding the protester’s insults.

"I was watching TV this morning and I saw several people pulling one person aside, then they were kicking something. I also question this: was the person already cuffed? If so, was kicking him necessary? It looked like he wasn't going to resist. I hope the police will investigate this," she said.

11.10am: Protesters in Mong Kok say they were angered but not intimidated by the police's handling of protesters in Admiralty overnight – making them more determined to hang on to their protest site.

Some say they are outraged by the TVB footage of Civic Party member Ken Tsang allegedly being beaten by police officers.

"How could they take him into a corner and beat him up? The police are just like thugs," says Kit Law, 20, who studies engineering at Chinese University.

"But it just made me more determined to come out. I am not intimidated."

Another protester, 20-year old William Yu, says the police's image has deteriorated sharply since the Occupy movement began.

"I have long felt that the police are not politically neutral. When there were quarrels between people pro- and anti-Occupy, the police would form a human chain. But the thing is, why did the police not arrest those who beat up the Occupy protesters?"

A jogger runs through the protest area in Mong Kok on Wednesday morning. Photo: Edward Wong

11.05am: Some 30 protesters are left at the much smaller Causeway Bay protest site this morning.

Most protesters are either just waking up or chatting in groups.

"I'd be scared if [police] have knives," says Year One medical sciences student Katrina. But she says she would join Admiralty protesters if police come to clear the sit-in there

The plan was to have all the women leave while the men stay if things get rough, she says.

A few dozen protesters remain at Causeway Bay on Wednesday morning. Photo: Jennifer Ngo

11am: A member of the mainland's top advisory body says the protests will have a long-term effect on Hong Kong's reputation and competitiveness, and that a few international conferences, including one on urology originally scheduled to be in the city, have been cancelled due to safety fears.

Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) member Anthony Wu Ting-yuk says the city would lose out to Malaysia or South Korea in the bidding to host another international conference with thousands of delegates.

"This is not some short-term damage but a long term effect. [It affects] whether Hong Kong would take a step back from the high position it holds in the international world." Wu said on Commercial Radio this morning.

Wu, former chairman of the Hospital Authority, says he has made a few trips to Harcourt Road in Admiralty to talk to protesters, some of them medical students.

"There were students handing me water and cooling peels, and there were students cleaning and sweeping the floor. [The protest] has displayed the high standard of Hongkongers," he added. "The past few weeks have really saddened me.”

He urges the government and protesters to "sit down and talk about it" to settle their differences and find a way out.

Wu says the government should also explain to the students about the rule of law, and how the legal framework laid down by National People’s Congress is the "bottom line".

"But there are many other aspects of a discussion, for example, the number of voters who could choose the election committee can be expanded," he said.

10.55am: At Legco, Civic Party leader Alan Leong says: "From what we have seen, Tsang was already handcuffed with plastic handcuffs... and taken to a dark corner and beaten up. This use of power and police force is a blatant abuse of power, and from the look of it, the [officer] should at least be investigated on assault to [induce] actual bodily harm."

The director of public prosecution should also intervene, he suggests.

10.50am: Secretary-general of the Federation of Students Alex Chow Yong-kong says there is no place for police to exercise the degree of force allegedly used against Tsang. He called the police action unreasonable and an abuse of authority.

"You can see [Tsang] had been dragged aside, meaning that he was in police detention," Chow says.

It was a case of individual police officers taking out their anger on a member of the public, he adds.

"It is contradictory to the expectation of the people, who believe they are under the protection of the police," Chow says.

"Police should explain, investigate and make an apology for this matter."

10.45am: The Occupy movement also condemns the alleged beating of Tsang.

Occupy Central stresses that Tsang did not resist, obstruct or pose a threat to police officers in the clear-out operation.

Any person not convicted by a court of law should be considered innocent and the police officers must absolutely not resort to extra-judicial punishment, an Occupy statement says.

The actions have breached Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying’s earlier pledge: as long as protesters don’t cross police lines, police will exercise maximum tolerance, and allow protesters to gather.

10.40am: Twenty-two pan-democrat lawmakers are holding a joint press conference, condemning the police's "illegal punishment" in the alleged beating of Ken Tsang, a Civic Party member.

Civic Party leader Alan Leong says if the police are still concerned about the force’s reputation, it must launch a criminal investigation into the six police officers who allegedly attacked Tsang.

The police watchdog should also speak up on the matter, Leong urges.

10.35am: Police say they have already taken action over the video footage of Ken Tsang’s alleged beating and will conduct an impartial investigation.

10.15am: A photograph has been released of Ken Tsang, taken this morning at Police College in Wong Chuk Hang. Tsang appears to have sustained bruises to his face.

Barrister and Civic Party lawmaker Dennis Kwok is with Tsang and providing legal assistance.

Ken Tsang appears to have sustained bruises to his face. Photo: Civic Party

10am: More space, cleaner air and an increase in civic spirit … some Hongkongers think the protests have had a positive affect on occupied Causeway Bay.

9.45am: British minister of state Hugo Swire says that the UK remains “fully committed to the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration”, adding that “Hong Kong’s future is best served by a transition to universal suffrage, in line with the Basic Law”.

Here’s his statement to parliament in London:

"I have been following the situation in Hong Kong particularly closely in recent weeks. The government has called on all sides to ensure that the demonstrations remain peaceful. Equally, it is important that Hong Kong’s fundamental rights and freedoms continue to be respected, including the rights to freedom of speech and freedom of assembly in accordance with the law. The government remains fully committed to the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration, on the implementation of which the foreign secretary will continue to report to parliament regularly.

“On the question of constitutional reform, the foreign secretary and I have consistently expressed to all parties the government’s view that Hong Kong’s future is best served by a transition to universal suffrage, in line with the Basic Law, which meets the aspirations of the people of Hong Kong, and which offers them a genuine choice in the election of the chief executive.

“The government continues to encourage all parties to engage in dialogue and to work towards a consensus that allows a significant step forward for democracy. I look forward in due course to the resumption by the Hong Kong government of the official consultation on plans to implement universal suffrage in 2017.”

9.30am: Basic Law Committee member and University of Hong Kong law professor Albert Chen Hung-yee says he hopes the police would handle any investigation into the alleged beating of Ken Tsang Kin-chiu impartially.

"Such things often happen in the US," he tells an RTHK morning talk show.

9.15am: Civic Party leader Alan Leong says four lawyers representing Ken Tsang Kin-chiu, his party member who was allegedly beaten by a group of police officers shown in TVB footage, visited Tsang at the temporary dentention centre at Police College in Wong Chuk Hang a few minutes ago.

They plan to send Tsang to hospital and have his wounds inspected soon. Leong added that the lawyers who met Tsang this morning said he was emotional and suffering from injuries.

This file photo shows the Civic Party's Ken Tsang being bundled away by security officials after he protested before former President Hu Jintao's address after Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying was sworn in in 2012. Photo: Sam Tsang.

9.10am: The Mong Kok protest site remains largely peaceful after several men woke up the Occupy protesters this morning by yelling insults.

Police have not made any attempts to remove any barricades so far this morning, despite warnings yesterday that they would do so.

Several protesters say they will allow police to remove barriers if they try to because there is nothing they can do.

They also say that new barricades would probably be built if the original ones are removed.

9am: Civic Party leader Alan Leong Kah-kit confirms that the protester allegedly being beaten by a group of police officers, shown on TVB news footage, is his party member Ken Tsang Kin-chiu. He says he has no update of Tsang at the moment since he has been arrested by the police.

Member of the Independent Police Complaints Council Eric Cheung Tat-ming told Commercial Radio that he could not comment on individual incidents without an investigation. He stresses it is unacceptable for the police to "beat up people in a dark corner" in any case, and the council would investigate if there is a complaint.

Cheung says according to the footage, there is surface evidence to show that police officers may have committed a criminal act of assault.

He says the police should explain to the public or they would appear to be protecting illegal actions.

Joshua Wong sleeps on the Lung Wo Road. Photo: Sam Tsang

8.15am: Broadcaster TVB airs footage of what they claim is a group of police officers beating a handcuffed protester for several minutes. The authenticity of the video could not be immediately independently verified.

At a press briefing shortly after the clear-out operation at Lung Wo Road, Police Senior Superintendent Tsui Wai-hung said he had no information on the incident. Tsui urged people to contact police should they have further information.

7.50am: Crowd size estimates by reporters at the scene:

Admiralty: 1,000

Mong Kok: 50

7.30am: Police handcuff and escort away a man in Admiralty after he took equipment to a barricade there. A police officer says protesters are damaging government property.

7.07am: Just published:

Blockade in Causeway Bay doing a world of good despite criticisms, some Hongkongers say

6.39am: Police press conference at headquarters in Wan Chai:

Senior Superintendent Tsui Wai-hung says 37 men and eight women were arrested for illegal assembly during the Lung Wo Road clear-out operation.

No protesters had reported any injuries, Tsui said, but four police officers were hurt during clashes. "One of our colleagues' left shoulder was dislocated," he says. "Another one suffered a cut near the eye after being poked by an umbrella.".

6.05am: Lung Wo Road in Admiralty has been opened to traffic in the past hour.

Dawn at Occupy Admiralty Photo: Danny Lee

6.02am: Excerpts from the Post's coverage of the Occupy movement on Wednesday:

Barriers are removed but protesters say they are here to stay

"I think any true Hongkonger should and would [come out in support of students]," said Dominic Cheung Yue-bun, 46, who works in information technology. "The movement can't stop now. It needs to continue until some fruit can be seen."

Protesters not sincere in ending impasse: mainland commentary

"Their behaviour has shown they actually do not want, and do not need, to resolve the issue by having dialogue … [They don't have] the consciousness of following rules, or the concept of holding negotiations," read the article, authored by a person called Guoping.

Security tsar Lai Tung-kwok's popularity falls to zero over tear gas

The net approval rating of Lai, the secretary for security, plunged to zero in the latest monthly university poll on the popularity of the chief executive and his 12 principal officials.

6am: Here's a how Occupy has affected the popularity ratings of Hong Kong's top politicians:

5.50am: What the front-pages of the local papers are saying:

Apple Daily: Police clear protest sites day and night

Oriental Daily: Queensway cleared during the day, Lung Wo Road turns violent at night

Ming Pao: Unlike with Art.23 and national education, this time the central government refuses to back down

Sing Tao Daily: Nightly attack on Lung Wo Road

Protesters sleep in Admiralty after a night of clashes. Photo: Silvio Carrillo

5.16am: First aid volunteer Lai Wing-cheung says he treated 10 people hit by pepper spray or with leg injuries after the police onslaught. The 21-year-old says he struggled to provide help, because police kept everyone away, without exception.

"We would have liked to stay outside the chief executive's office to help anybody who was injured, but police just told us to get out no matter who you are," he says. "I was so scared. We just wanted to help anyone in need."

Sam Tso, 26, says he disagreed with fellow demonstrators who occupied Lung Wo Road on Tuesday. "The CE's office is now clear," he says. "What have we gained?"

5.00am: Meanwhile the situation appears to be calm in Mong Kok, where some 100 protesters are camping out. Police said yesterday they might clear parts of the occupied area today:

Police plan action against Mong Kok protest camp after clearing barricades in Admiralty

Four protesters man a sentry post at the intersection of Nathan Road and Dundas Street, the location of Occupy Mong Kok's southern and least secured barricade. Demonstrators say this is the most likely place for police to take action.

Occupy Mong Kok on Wednesday morning. Photo: Danny Mok

4.40am: Lung Wo Road has been cleared. Arguments continue on side roads. Police have not cleared the main occupied area in Admiralty.

4.09am: Police say operations are ongoing. Here's our story of how protesters re-occupied Lung Wo Road on Tuesday:

Protesters reoccupy road after clashes in Admiralty

4am: Chaotic scenes in Admiralty, where hundreds of police officers are facing an angry crowd of hundreds of protesters.

A protester seen lying on the ground after clashes with police in Lung Wo Road on Wednesday. Photo: Danny Lee

3.10am: Police detain several protesters.

Police remove protesters in Admiralty on Wednesday. Photo: Danny Lee

3.05am: Protesters appear to be outnumbered by police, who attempt to surround them. Police form cordon lines and urge protesters to leave Lung Wo Road.

Police and protesters clash as authorities clear Lung Wo Road. Photo: Amy Nip

3am: Scuffles erupt and police use pepper spray. Police tear down barricades and tents on the road. Protesters refuse to leave, many hold up their hands.

Police raise the now familiar yellow banner, asking protesters to clear the area. Photo: Danny Lee

2.55am: Some 150 police officers, many carrying shields, emerge at various junctions in Admiralty and march towards the crowd gathered near the chief executive's office. Protesters don't retreat. Some distribute gas masks and umbrellas in preparation for a confrontation at Lung Wo Road.

Police approach protesters at Lung Wo Road. Photo: Amy Nip

2.45am: Police Senior Superintendent Tsui Wai-hung says police will soon clear Lung Wo Road.

2.40am: The South China Morning Post's front-page on Wednesday:

2.10am: In case you missed it, here is what you need to know from the Post's coverage of the Occupy movement on Tuesday:

Police plan action against Mong Kok protest camp after clearing barricades in Admiralty

Chief Superintendent of the Hong Kong police’s public relations branch, Hui Chun-tak, said police would remove large obstacles from the protest site in Mong Kok to restore partial, if not full, traffic access to the area.

Occupy protests put commercial property negotiations on hold

Daniel Wong Hon-shing, chief executive at commercial property agency Midland IC&I, said negotiations on five properties had stalled due to the difficulty of assessing the impact of the protests on the Hong Kong economy.

Protesters reoccupy road after clashes in Admiralty

Zhang Xiaoming , director of the central government's liaison office in Hong Kong, called on pro-establishment legislators to support the Hong Kong government. In remarks he made to members of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong in Shenzhen on Sunday, he said the central government expected the protests to drag on "for some time" and had "prepared for the worst".

 

[Lumix]

Re: Give me Liberty or Give me Death! Giordano Tycoon joins Occupy Central!



Hong Kong police in violent clashes with protesters

AFP
October 15, 2014, 1:38 pm

Hong Kong (AFP) - Hong Kong protesters clashed with dozens of police using batons and pepper spray early Wednesday, in some of worst violence since pro-democracy demonstrations began more than two weeks ago.

The confrontation broke out during a police operation to clear newly erected barricades on a main road next to the city's embattled government headquarters.

A wall of police armed with shields and batons marched before dawn on crowds clutching the umbrellas that have become emblematic of their fight for full democracy.

Police used their fists and batons to beat back protesters who refused to retreat, aiming pepper spray in their faces in wild scenes.

Others were pulled to the ground, handcuffed and hauled away by officers, and there were injuries on both sides. Police said that 45 people had been arrested in the operation, including 37 men and eight women.

Within an hour police had regained control of Lung Wo Road, which sits just metres from the offices of Hong Kong's Chief Executive Leung Chun-Ying, ending a short-lived occupation that protesters staged the day before.

The violence was among the worst seen since the start of rallies that have drawn huge crowds calling for Beijing to grant the semi-autonomous city the right to hold free elections.

China has insisted it will vet candidates standing for election as the semi-autonomous city's next leader in 2017 -- a move protesters deride as "fake democracy".

While the activists have been praised for their civility and organisational skills, they have also brought widespread disruption and traffic congestion to the financial hub, and tempers on all sides have begun to fray.

- 'Emotions are very unstable' -

A police statement said officers had warned that "advancing against police cordon line even with their arms raised is not a peaceful act", and had appealed to the demonstrators to "stay calm and restrained".

Ben Ng, an 18-year-old student, was with protesters near a newly built barricade when the baton-wielding contingent approached.

"Police used pepper spray without any threat or warning. Protesters were beaten by police," he said. "Both protesters and police, their emotions are very unstable."

Journalists were also jostled by security forces and warned they would not be treated any differently if they breached a cordon.

"(Police) grabbed me, more than 10 police, and they beat me, punches, kicks, elbows. I tried to tell them I'm a reporter but they didn't listen," Daniel Cheung, a reporter for an online news portal, told AFP.

Cheung, who suffered cuts to his lip and bruises on his neck and back, said he was later released after showing his press card.

- Tearing down barricades -

The protests that have paralysed parts of the city over the last fortnight have largely been peaceful. But ugly scuffles have frequently broken out between demonstrators and government loyalists, sparking accusations the authorities are using hired thugs.

Patience is running short in some quarters, with shop owners and taxi drivers losing business and commuters voicing irritation at extensive disruptions on the roads and on public transport.

Direct confrontation with police has been much less common, however. Wednesday's running battles were some of the most serious since September 28, when riot police fired tear gas at largely peaceful crowds.

In the last two days, officers have begun swooping in to remove barricades on the edges of protest sites in the city, shrinking their footprint and opening some roads to traffic, while allowing the bulk of demonstrators to stay in place.

A new poll released Tuesday by Hong Kong University showed Leung's support rating dropped 2.6 percent from late last month to 40.6 percent, his second-lowest rating since he came to office in 2012.

Protest leader Alex Chow on Tuesday reiterated a call for Leung -- whose resignation protesters are demanding -- to restart stalled talks after the government abruptly cancelled a dialogue last week.

 

[sochi2014]

Wah! Hiong Man!! Put spikes on the roads!!

 

[Asterix]

Re: Wah! Hiong Man!! Put spikes on the roads!!

Handmade bamboo barriers show creative side of Occupy activists

Occupy activists showed craftsmanship as well as resilience yesterday by erecting bamboo barricades hours after police and anti-Occupy protesters cleared some of their blockades.

They built a number of large barricades to defend and block Queensway, east-bound and west-bound.

Self-employed information technology worker Alec Lee, 45, said: "I only learned how to do this when I came here. There were some construction workers teaching us how it can be done.

"The thing is, the police said this morning they were just retrieving government property when they took away railings and cleared some of our barricades. Now they can't use the same excuse because the bamboo is private property."

Protesters said some unknown supporters transported dozens of pieces of bamboo, each several metres long, for them to build the barricades in the afternoon.

Guided by supportive construction workers, they said, they cut the bamboo into shorter pieces and used plastic cuffs to bind the pieces together.

They crossed the bamboo lengths through rubbish bins to make the barricades stronger. They also used cement to weigh some down to the ground.

The bamboo barricades were each about 6 metres wide and 4 metres long, blocking both the east-bound and west-bound lanes of Queensway.

It was also the first time that 20-year-old protester Daven Chau had built a bamboo scaffold. He said he was aware that some protesters wanted to open up Queensway to minimise the disruption it caused.

"In fact I need to go past here almost every day, so this is inconvenient for me as well. But we need to have some bargaining powers if we want to press the government to talk to us," said Chau, who studies electrical engineering at City University.

A construction worker passing by said he was impressed by the craftsmanship, saying the barricades would hold even if a car rammed into it.

"But it would be another story if it is a truck," he said.

Some of the barricade reinforcements were made possible by donations of material. At one roadblock on Connaught Road Central well-wishers left iron chains, metal wires and bicycle locks. Iron barricades have been bound together by layers of cling film and some are weighed down with concrete blocks or bags of stones

In Causeway Bay, protesters have also fortified barricades by weighing them down with cement and wrapping them with cellophane.

http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1615951/activists-man-barricades-they-made-themselves

 

[Cestbon]

Re: Wah! Hiong Man!! Put spikes on the roads!!

Silly student think like kindergarden children. LOL.
Those same conrete block maybe 10kg each link by using cable tied!
Can be easily haul up into lorry .

 

[sochi2014]

Keng chak da yan ah!!

HK POLIS HIT PROTESTER KENA VIDEO!!

[video=youtube;LvsrEF3gp-U]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvsrEF3gp-U&feature=youtu.be[/video]

 

[Asterix]

Re: Give me Liberty or Give me Death! Giordano Tycoon joins Occupy Central!

Take a look outside your ivory tower, Carrie Lam

How much does Chief Secretary Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor make? Well over HK$300,000 a month, plus perks. Where does she live? In a taxpayer-funded mansion on The Peak. How can someone with such a lifestyle possibly think like ordinary people do? Good question. She can't. Proof of how totally clueless she is about ordinary people came from her own mouth last Thursday when she called off a meeting with student protest leaders. She mocked the Occupy Central movement by saying the participation at occupied zones had thinned considerably. Her idiotic comment galvanised tens of thousands to join a rally outside government headquarters in Admiralty the next day. Speaker after speaker at the mass rally taunted her by thanking her for boosting the turnout. Taxpayers pump big bucks into oiling the government's public relations machinery, yet get such brainless gaffes from our top officials. Makes you wonder whether Lam actually resides in our world or that of Marie Antoinette.



Heroes and hypocrites on full display

Don't you just love Occupy Central? It is overflowing with heroism, hypocrisy, hate and humiliation. Public Eye loves the way our overpaid bureaucrats are humiliated. No longer can they reach their swanky offices at government headquarters in chauffeur-driven cars. They have to walk like the rest of us. That's humiliation indeed. We must thank the Occupy barricades for that. So-called ethnic minorities manning the barricades were told by Occupy opponents to go back to their countries to cook curry. Now that's hate indeed. It made us think of how Occupy supporters put Gandhi, Mandela and Martin Luther King on pedestals - one brown and two black faces. Would the Occupy supporters who worship these giants of civil disobedience be willing to rent their flats to black and brown faces? Mull over that one. There are hypocrites and there are heroes. Many disagree with the protesters' disruptive tactics in pushing for democracy, but you have to agree with one thing: they have shown Hong Kong and the world what heroes are made of.



What's in a name that which we call Occupy Central?

So what exactly is it? A movement, an uprising, a colour revolution, or turmoil? The foreign media has dubbed it the "umbrella revolution". Students and Occupy organisers insist it isn't a revolution but a democracy movement. Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying calls it a "mass movement that has spun out of control" but not a revolution. But the mouthpiece of his Beijing bosses, the People's Daily, now calls it a "turmoil" orchestrated by the United States and Occupy organisers to stoke a colour revolution. Why don't we just call it a rose? After all, a revolution by any other name smells just as …

http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1616446/take-look-outside-your-ivory-tower-carrie-lam

 

[Cerebral]

Silly student think like kindergarden children. LOL.
Those same conrete block maybe 10kg each link by using cable tied!
Can be easily haul up into lorry .

At least they are doing all they can.

 

[winnipegjets]

Re: Wah! Hiong Man!! Put spikes on the roads!!

You can't blame the protesters. HK government reneged on talks. The police conveniently disappears when anti-protesters showed up.

A fatality will happen soon.

 

[Ibisevic]

Re: Give me Liberty or Give me Death! Giordano Tycoon joins Occupy Central!

Take a look outside your ivory tower, Carrie Lam

Terima kasih Asterix. Be back in a while.

 

[Putin]

Hongkie can learn from Sinkie - says this Ah Neh from Hong Kong

http://www.chinadailyasia.com/opinion/2014-10/07/content_15174597.html

Home> Opinion
Tuesday, October 7, 2014, 09:33
Hong Kong people can learn from Singapore
CHINA DAILY HK EDITION
By N.Balakrishnan

Singapore’s political landscape today appears tranquil but this was not always so. In the 1960s the Barisan Sosialis (Socialist Front) party of Singapore was able to bring the city to a standstill at short notice in ways “Occupy Central” couldn’t even begin to imagine. The Socialist Front of Singapore controlled all the unions and had the support of large sections of the population. But within a decade the party had completely disappeared — not due to repression, but mostly due to a wrong political strategy — “taking to the streets.”
Singapore’s Socialist Front was formed in 1961 by 13 former People’s Action Party (PAP) and six prominent trade union leaders. To this day, the PAP is still ruling Singapore, whereas the Socialist Front has completely disappeared. At the time of the breakup in 1961, the Socialist Front was so popular that 35 of the 51 branches of PAP and 19 of its 23 organizing secretaries changed allegiance to the Socialist Front.
In 1963, many Socialist Front members were arrested. But despite the arrests, the 1963 Singapore elections saw Socialist Front candidates win 13 out of 51 seats, accounting for a plurality — or 53 percent of the popular vote.


Fourteen years later in 1980, Socialist Front chairman Dr Lee Siew Choh apologized to Singaporean voters for having abandoned parliamentary politics for street action in 1966. In 1988 Socialist Front was dissolved.


he compromise.
The author is a former foreign correspondent and has lived in Hong Kong for the past 25 years.

 

[DianWei]

Re: Give me Liberty or Give me Death! Giordano Tycoon joins Occupy Central!


OCCUPY CENTRAL - DAY 18: Full coverage

PUBLISHED : Wednesday, 15 October, 2014, 4:11am
UPDATED : Thursday, 16 October, 2014, 1:42am

Staff reporters

Ken Tsang shows some of the injuries to his body. Photo: Jennifer Ngo

Good evening and welcome to our ongoing live coverage of Hong Kong's Occupy movement.

Police used pepper spray and arrested 45 people to forcibly clear Lung Wo Road in the early hours of Wednesday. The road in Admiralty had been reoccupied by protesters late on Tuesday.

TVB aired footage of what they say is a group of police officers beating a protester, later idenitified as Civic Party member Ken Tsang Kin-chiu, after the operation.

In Tseung Kwan O, anti-Occupy protesters defied a court order and once again blocked the entrances to the Apple Daily newspaper headquarters overnight.

_________________________________

11.30pm: This concludes our live blog for Wednesday. Join us again tomorrow morning for more updates on the Occupy protests.

11.15pm: Members of the Occupy Central movement post online details of more alleged attacks by police against protesters on Lung Wo Road last night. In one post, it was alleged that officers pulled a man by his clothes, even though his hands were already up in the air. "Police pulled him by his clothing and he fell to the ground. His head was stepped on [sic], he was punched and kicked. He had a cracked lip," the group says in a posting in English on its Facebook page.

In another posting, the group alleges a female protester, who was bending down to pick up her glasses, was grabbed by police and dragged some distrance, resulting in injuries to her legs and knees.

In a third incident, a man was trying to give his friend some water to wash his eyes after being pepper sprayed by police when he was approached by police. "Once police caught up with him, [officers] pepper sprayed him, he had his head stood on and he was beaten," the Occupy Facebook posting says.

11.00pm: Responding to Raymond Tam's remarks earlier in the day, Alex Chow, secretary-general of the Federation of Students, says they have not been approached by any so-called "middleman" from the government. Chow says the door to dialogue is always open, and would not be affected by the police's alleged assault on protesters in the early hours of the morning.

"If the government is sincere in having dialogue with us, they don't need to convey the message through any middleman," he says. "They could have spoken to us directly." He adds that he is confused by Tam's intention by making the remarks, as he could not see any sign of compromise from the government on its stance towards political reform.

10.40pm North Point: More from Ken Tsang: The Civic Party member stepped out of the North Point Police Station and addressed the media after 10pm. He refused to answer any questions and read from a prepared statement. Tsang then slowly pointed out his wounds to his head and lifted his shirt to show welts on his chest and round, red marks on his back.

"You should have seen the TV footage of a number of police officers brutally assaulting me," he said. "While I was... utterly defenceless. Prior to that I had already been assaulted, and was later yet again assaulted in the police station." After taking legal advice, Tsang said he would not to comment on the incident in any more detail, because of possible legal action against the police force and the officers involved.

Ken Tsang addresses the media outside North Point police station

10.20pm North Point: Ken Tsang, the protester allegedly beaten by police in the early hours of Wednesday morning, addresses the media and supporters outside North Point police station. Tsang says he plans to take legal action against the police officers involved in the incident and the Hong Kong police force itself. Tsang reads a prepared statement to the media outside North Point police station but takes no questions.

10.10pm Central: A flash mob of around 50 people, apparently made up of netizens, temporarily block a section of road outside Chater House in Central. As soon as they arrive on Pedder Street, the group ran out to the road and grabbed traffic cones set up by the police, and placed them across the road. The whole "operation" only took around 30 seconds. They group flees the scene when a police vehicle arrives and the road reopens shortly after.

10.00pm Admiralty: A police negotiation team in Admiralty urge hundreds of protesters to leave the area outside police headquarters on Arsenal Street. Protesters are dissatisfied by their remarks and call on Police Commissioner Andy Tsang Wai-hung to step down.

9.50pm Admiralty: Over 2,000 rally goers are gathered in Admiralty - noticeably more than the two previous weekday nights - with some citing the alleged police beating of Civic Party member Ken Tsang as their motivation to join. "Police are supposed to protect us; how can we ever trust them again after this?" asks Renee Ng, a Polytechnic University marketing student. She says it will be hard to place trust in the police force again when it comes to anything that is remotely related to politics.

9.30pm: The chairman of the police's watchdog says in a statement that the Independent Police Complaints Council (IPCC) has asked its Serious Complaints Committee to follow up on the case of Ken Tsang, who was allegedly attacked by a group of policemen during a clearance operation in Admiralty.

Larry Kwok says the IPCC has been "closely following the developments of Occupy Central and its related activities", and is aware of a video clip showing "a police officer allegedly assaulting a protester".

The watchdog also held a special in-house meeting last Wednesday to discuss the particulars of the follow-up work, Kwok says.

The watchdog will monitor the progress of the police force's Complaints Against Police Office (CAPO), which notified the IPCC of the complaint, to ensure a speedy resolution. The IPCC will also ask the police to devote more manpower to creating a special team to handle cases of similar nature.

The IPCC appealed to anyone with information on the case to come forward with information. But Kwok says they will not comment on the case until an investigation is completed, in order to maintain impartiality.

Kwok concluded the statement by saying: "I hope that things will be back to normal soon, and that police officers, protesters and citizens will all stay safe."

9.15pm: Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying reportedly sought a further 3 million pounds (HK$37 million) from Australian firm UGL as part of his former company DTZ’s sale.

According to Fairfax Media, which obtained emails sent by top UGL and DTZ executives concerning the sale, Leung wanted an additional 3 million pounds to compensate him for stock he held in DTZ’s Japanese subsidiary.

Hong Kong's anti-graft agency has already opened a file on the case, amid questions over his conduct during his last days as a DTZ board member and the HK$50 millilon payments he received from UGL.

9pm: The Chinese Foreign Ministry has once again urged Britain to stop interfering in Hong Kong's affairs, warning that London should speak and act cautiously to avoid sending any wrong signals.

Responding to British official Hugo Swire's statement on Monday about the Occupy Central protesters, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei said today: "No country or individual has a right to interfere in China's internal affairs."

A protester on Arsenal Street holds up a sign with a photo of Hong Kong Police Force Commissioner Andy Tsang Wai-hung. Photo: Nora Tam

8.45pm: Lester Shum of the Hong Kong Federation of Students tells crowds in Admiralty that police officers who physically abuse people can be charged with using torture and can face a maximum sentence of life in jail, prompting a spirited round of applause from protesters.

The Harcourt Road crowds have swelled to around 2,000 people, according to a reporter's estimate.

Earlier, Scholarism activist Joshua Wong said he would no longer urge the public to have more sympathy for frontline police officers after today's events. "If it's just a job [to make a] living, why are you beating us up?" Wong said.

"And the most ironic thing is that police officers were hitting someone from the privileged class, someone who is one of the 1,200 members of the committee which elects the Chief Executive," he said, referring to the fact Ken Tsang is a member of the nominating committee, representing the welfare sector.

"Now even those from the privileged class have to take to the streets," Wong said.

8.30pm: After a nearly hour-long stand-off on Arsenal Street and Lockhart Road, police are allowing protesters – mostly social workers – to enter the police headquarters in groups to file reports on the alleged police beating of protester and Civic Party member Ken Tsang Kin-chiu.

Police also let a contingent move to Harcourt Road and continue their protest there.

Lawmaker Fernando Cheung says the demonstrators had no intention of staging a sit-in, but were forced to do so when police set up a cordon. Around 200 protesters are still outside the police headquarters, calmly waiting to enter.

8.20pm: About 10 pro-government lawmakers met a barrage of jeers and insults from protesters as the officials left the Legislative Council building in Admiralty at 8pm.

Roads surrounding the complex are blocked, so legislators Regina Ip, Tam Yiu-chung, Chan Kam-lam and Kwok Wai-keung, among others, had to walk to an outdoor carpark across the road. Protesters shouted at them: "Shame on you. You rubbish betrayed the Hongkongers."

An estimated 1,000 people have gathered on Harcourt Road in the past few hours, listening to the live broadcast of the Legco meeting. Earlier, the crowd applauded when Civic Party lawmaker Kwok Ka-ki was heard commending the TVB journalists who spoke up against their management for editing out details from their report on Ken Tsang.

8.15pm: Following the transport union's decision, the Taxi Drivers and Operators Association call off plans to demolish remaining barricades tomorrow.

Eddie Ng Yip-pui, secretary for the group, said: "We will wait and see as there were some chaos last night."

On Monday, the association organised dozens of taxis to come to Queensway and threaten to break through blockades. Queensway was cleared of bamboo, metal and concrete fencing on Tuesday morning by police wielding sledgehammers and chainsaws.

8pm: More photos of the stand-off outside the police headquarters in Wan Chai:Photo: Nora Tam

Photo: Nora Tam

7.45pm: The Democratic Party also says it will send a delegation to a UN Human Rights Committee meeting in Geneva next Thursday to discuss how Beijing's decision on Hong Kong election reform fails to comply with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The delegation will also attend the UN's hearing on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, where they will discuss alleged sexual violence against women protesters.

7.35pm: Three Democratic Party district councillors and one citizen have filed complaints to police over the clashes with protesters in Admiralty this morning, and urged police to launch a criminal investigation.

Like some 20 People Power members who filed reports to police earlier today, the four complainants were not present at the scene. But they presented footage to police showing the faces of officers said to be involved in the alleged attacks and submitted a phone message, allegedly circulated among the police force, urging everyone to remain silent on the issue.

"Police cannot just treat this as a complaint against officers. This is a case of criminal nature and, as such, a criminal investigation should be launched," said Southern District councillor Au Nok-hin.

Au said the complaint process took about 45 minutes.

The latest complainants said that not being present at the scene of the clashes did not bar them from making a report. Au urged more people to file complaints and mount pressure on the police so that "the force cannot sweep it under the carpet".

7.20pm: Around 150 protesters are locked in a stand-off with some 200 officers near the police headquarters in Wan Chai after the group were barred from entering the police compound.

The protesters, mostly social workers, marched along Lockhart Road, intending to enter the complex. However, only a few representatives were allowed in, and the rest were forced to stay about 20 metres away, on Arsenal Street, where they are now holding a sit-in.

Police raised a yellow banner warning them not to breach the cordon.

Social Welfare sector lawmaker Peter Cheung Kwok-Che is mediating.

A sit-in on Arsenal Street in Wan Chai. Photo: Gloria Chan

7pm: Twenty-seven TVB journalists have published a letter on Facebook expressing their disagreement with and "regret" over their management's decision to edit out and then revise a portion of their report on the alleged beating of protester Ken Tsang.

In an early-morning report, containing footage of Tsang being brought to a dark alley and surrounded by officers, a TVB staffer is heard saying: "Officers are putting [the protester] on the ground, hitting him with their fists and kicking him." The voice-over was edited out in reports after 7am.

“It was only shortly before noon that the sentence, 'Police officers were suspected to have used excessive force on him’ was added again,” the Facebook letter reads.

Though the journalists acknowledge the description of punching and kicking is "not unchallengeable", they believe it is factually consistent.

“In the five hours that preceded the change, the voiceover was vacated, and it didn’t only make our report incomplete all of a sudden, but also reflected the management’s distrust of the original story. We feel extremely uncomfortable about that and couldn’t agree with that," they say.

"We think this is a defect in reporting the facts," they wrote in the letter. "As frontline journalists ... colleagues in our news department ... have been trying their best to report facts. We hope that the society can treasure the little press freedom in Hong Kong, support journalists’ independent reporting and not obstruct journalists from reporting facts."

The broadcasting company explained in a statement that the amendment to the Tsang report was to avoid a "prejudicial scenario". TVB said it kept the original footage intact for the public to judge.

6.45pm: Causeway Bay: Protesters are discussing whether to let trams through Yee Wo Street after Hong Kong Tramways managing director Emmanuel Vivant came to visit and requested that the passage be allowed so that tram cars could undergo maintenance.

Though trams are operating between Kennedy Town and Happy Valley, and between Shau Kei Wan and Victoria Park, the Wan Chai to North Point routes are blocked. Seven stops are currently suspended, Vivant says.

Vivant says some trams need to get to the maintenance depot on Whitty Street, Shek Tong Siu. There is a secondary depot in Sai Wan Ho, but that is only for light maintenance.

The protesters will take a vote on the issue tonight.

6.40pm: Most of the 45 Occupy protesters who were arrested during clashes around Lung Wo Road are expected to be bailed out, according to their lawyers.

The protesters are still giving police statements at the North Point Police Station.

One of the lawyers, Alvin Yeung, confirmed that the protesters were arrested on suspicion of unlawful assembly and obstruction of police. Dozens of lawyers are working pro bono on these cases, Yeung said.

6.30pm: Assistant transport commissioner Albert Su has blamed the ongoing protest blockades for a seven-kilometre-long traffic jam on westbound Gloucester Road this morning, as government officials renew calls for demonstrators to clear the streets.

He says the snarl stretched along the Island Eastern Corridor to the Eastern Harbour Tunnel's exit.

Su, speaking at a daily press conference, said there was a rise in illegal parking on Gloucester and Hennessy roads, and that nearly 250 bus and minibus routes were still either suspended or diverted.

Home Affairs Undersecretary Florence Hui, meanwhile, said some businesses were seeking legal damages for lost revenue and that police were facing physical and mental stress.

6.15pm: The Hong Kong police vow to continue removing obstacles in occupied zones – particularly large roadblocks in Mong Kok – so traffic "can at least be partially resumed".

Spokesman Steve Hui says they will not allow new roadblocks or the reinforcement of existing barricades, and have stepped up patrols to prevent reopened roads from being occupied again.

No roads have been reopened over the past 24 hours, police say, adding that they have enough manpower to "handle all situations".

Meanwhile, student activist group Scholarism has condemned the police’s use of force on protesters in Admiralty this morning, citing the alleged use of pepper spray, male officers reportedly dragging away female protesters, and the alleged kicking and hitting of a protester.

Scholarism demands the immediate release of arrested protesters, that police stop "using violence" and for police commander Andy Tsang Wai-hung to step down and apologise.

6.10pm: Asked to comment on the alleged beating of protester Ken Tsang, police spokesman Steve Hui Chun-tak says the force is seriously concerned about the incident and will proceed with the case if lawbreaking is found.

"Police operations have a high degree of transparency. We express serious concern over the incident and if there is any criminality revealed, we will proceed with the case in accordance with the law," he says in a press briefing.

Hui says the case will be submitted to the Independent Police Complaints Council for scrutiny after an investigation is completed.

He also gives an update on the 45 Occupy protesters arrested this morning, saying the youngest is 17 and the oldest is 54. They are suspected of unlawful assembly and obstructing police officers. Hui also revises the number of police injured during the Lung Wo Road clearance to five officers.

6pm: The MTR Corporation cancels its annual MTR Hong Kong Race Walking event on October 26. The race was supposed to start on Chater Road in Central, which had been occupied by protesters but was reopened to traffic earlier this week. The organisers apologised "for the disappointment caused".

Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing. Photo: Reuters

5.50pm: Hong Kong's richest man, Li Ka-shing, releases a statement urging protesters to leave the streets as they have already made themselves heard.

We can understand students' passion but their pursuit needs to be guided by wisdom. All people must abide by laws and Hong Kong police have been defending the city's law and order. It would be Hong Kong's biggest sorrow if the rule of law is undermined.

My young friends: your parents, family members, all Hong Kong people and the central government are concerned about your well-being. You have successfully conveyed your messages and everyone has heard you.

I urge all of you not to let today's fervour turn into tomorrow's regret. I sincerely call on you to return to the side of your families.

The Cheung Kong and Hutchison Whampoa tycoon – with an estimated wealth of US$30.6 billion according to Forbes – adds that Hong Kong's way of life and political system are safeguarded for 50 years under "one country, two systems".

5.40pm: Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying confirms he cancelled plans to appear in Legco on Thursday due to safety reasons, adding that he does not want his presence to cause a commotion.

"There are ... appeals to protesters to besiege the Legislative Council tomorrow during the question-and-answer session," he says.

"I don't want my presence in the session to provoke a mass gathering, nor [for] police and security guards [to] have to use force to maintain order."

Leung says he will attend the Q&A in Legco under appropriate circumstances.

5.30pm: A number of pro-democracy groups plan to hold a series of protests outside the police headquarters in Wan Chai to denounce what they see as "abuse of power", after videos circulate of the police crackdown on protesters this morning.

The Labour Party, Neo-Democrats, League of Social Democrats, and the Neighbourhood and Worker Services Centre kicked off the protest at 4.30pm and plan to hold more until the evening. CY Leung and police chief commissioner Andy Tsang Wai-hung should take full responsibility and resign, they said.

"Arrest the black cops," the demonstrators chanted, using a term for corruption.

A member of the worker services centre reacted to a video of Civic Party member Ken Tsang being brought to an alley by officers. "The reason [police] dragged aside the protester was they wanted to evade public scrutiny," he said.

A Labour Party representative also criticised the alleged intimidation of the press: "[Police] are holding journalists back from reporting the event fairly."

The demonstrators also handed a letter to a police representative.

Pro-democracy supporters protest 'abuse of power' outside the police headquarters in Wan Chai. Photo: Chris Lau

5.15pm: Police announce that seven officers have been identified in relation to the alleged beating of Civic Party member Ken Tsang and that a special team of "experienced and professional people" have been tasked to look into the case.

They said the seven – two inspectors and five constables – were not yet classified as subjects of a complaint as no-one had filed a statement with police as yet. Their names were not disclosed.

Police refused to answer repeated media questions about where the officers were transferred, which units they are part of or why they had not been suspended.

Tsang was filmed being brought to a dark alley early this morning where he was allegedly attacked by the officers. Police also refused to disclose what kind of experts and professionals were part of the special investigating team.

4.55pm: There are some 50 protesters in Yee Wo Street, now the only occupied area in Causeway Bay.

Housewife Jean Tsang, 54, has been spending her nights at the protest site in Mong Kok, but she is joining the protest today in Causeway Bay. She says it's irrelevant if the police decide to clean up the area. "They can't stop us. They could clean this perhaps in 30 minutes, but we can always go to Admiralty, Mong Kok or other places," she says.

After hearing about last night's events in Admiralty, where there were clashes between police and protesters, Tsang says she feels increasingly disappointed with the force. "I am angry and ashamed. We used to have the best police in the world, but that's no longer true," she says.

Tsang says she had also witnessed violence in Mong Kok and that she felt "police were on the same side as the mobs."

However, that won't deter Tsang from taking to the streets again. "Violence will not make us stay at home. The important thing is to fight for true democracy," she says.

"Democracy is important because it would be a more fair game. Now it's only for communists and tycoons. We want to have a chief executive and lawmakers who can represent ordinary Hong Kong people," Tsang says.

Chris Lee, 20, a software engineering student, has also joined the Causeway Bay protest, switching from Mong Kok.

"Police used too much violence yesterday ... I am afraid that something [might] happen here. I came because I have a friend here and I want to protect him and the people here," Lee says.

A protester holds a Captain America shield in Mong Kok. Photo: Edward Wong

4.40pm: Transport unions say they have decided not to press ahead with a plan to demolish road barricades installed by occupiers, saying they were satisfied with police action to restore access to roads over the past few days.

Stanley Chiang Chi-wai, chairman of the Lok Ma Chau China-Hong Kong Freight Association says they would abort the plan scheduled for tomorrow as some roads have been partly reopened – but they would closely monitor the situation and be ready to exercise their "civil rights" to remove barricades at any time.

"The prompt action taken by police to remove the barricades on roads showed the police force's determination," Chiang says.

The coalition, made up of 10 unions and transport workers’ groups, had warned five days ago they would clear the roads themselves if the occupiers refused to remove the barricades.

4.30pm: New People's Party leader Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, who formerly served as the Security Security, believes police will investigate Ken Tsang's case thoroughly and impartially in accordance with procedure.

"Definitely these sorts of allegations will adversely affect the police's image. If the police are able to investigate thoroughly and in a convincing manner, they would be able to repair any damage to their image," she tells the Post.

But Ip says the incident would not warrant the resignation of any senior officials.

"The incident is after all an isolated incident [which] occurred after more than two weeks of prolonged demonstration," she says.

She says police have been under a lot of pressure in the past two weeks as they are sandwiched between politicians and the media – who accuse them of using excessive force – and member of the public who want them to take more effective action. Whatever actions the police take are bound to receive complaints, she adds.

The current confrontation between the public and police is "unprecedented", says Ip, adding some individual officers might feel their burden is "over-bearing".

She advises the force to do more work to boost morale or even provide psychological guidance to officers.

4.10pm: A United States non-profit foundation denies reports in Chinese state media that it has played a key role in the Occupy Central protests.

The National Endowment for Democracy says that projects it has supported in Hong Kong over the years “have focused on encouraging good governance, supporting informed citizen engagement in the political process, and protecting human rights”.

The NED says it spent US$695,031 on such projects last year, with descriptions available on its website.

“Reports that NED vice-president Louisa Greve met with organisers of the Hong Kong protests are inaccurate, and while the National Endowment for Democracy is supportive of the goals of universal suffrage and genuine democracy, no leader of the current protests has sought assistance or counsel from the NED,” the NED says in a statement.

4pm: An ad hoc group formed online in response to the alleged beating of Ken Tsang is calling on members of the public to join them in what they describe as a "super cooperation movement" to report the matter to police.

Speaking outside police headquarters on Arsenal Street, organiser Jeff Au Yeung Ying-kit, who started two open events on Facebook, says a lawyer told them anyone who feels they have adequate evidence could file a report to police.

Together with about a dozen members of pan-democratic party People Power, the group plan to file separate reports in groups of two or three so that "they would feel less threatened by police" and "each will get a chance to describe in detail how they see the incident".

None of the members of the group were present on Lung Wo Road last night.

"As a doctor myself, it was shocking to see TV footage of people subjected to violence," Yeung says.

"We hope police could make use of this last chance to win back public trust in the force and launch a criminal investigation into this. We urge anyone who feels they have enough evidence to report it to the police."

Yeung says members of the group are expected to file reports at around 6.30pm.

Meanwhile, a group of 30 police supporters stood next to Yeung’s group to voice their backing for the force, many shouting profanities while the group spoke to the press.

Officers later moved in to separate the two groups. The police supporters presented flower and fruit bouquets to a station sergeant who came to receive the gifts.

Campaigners call for members of the public to make a police report. Photo: Samuel Chan

3.50pm: A spokesman for the Chief Executive's Office says Leung Chun-ying's question-and-answer session, originally scheduled for tomorrow, would be postponed.

The spokesman says the decision was made after the assessment of security risk in the wake of the conflict between protesters and police last night and the occupation of the vicinity of the Legislative Council complex by demonstrators. The spokesman noted some people had called for demonstrators to lay siege to the Legco complex during the question-and-answer session.

3.45pm: Office workers in Admiralty who support the Occupy movement condemn the police officers’ behaviour during the operation to clear Lung Wo Road in the early hours of this morning.

“You can see the police savagely ripping protesters’ masks off and spraying them with pepper spray; it's really scary,” says Chong Hau-yi, 30, who’s here on her day off. “It's not a fair, one-on-one fight. If that was the case yesterday, it wouldn't have been so bad. But in the video we saw, it's six against one person who had no intention of fighting back, which is just horrible. The police are worse than animals.”

“The actions of the police are completely unacceptable,” agrees lawyer Johnnie Fung, 52.

“What we saw last night, or them taking a passive role when triad members show up. When I went to Mong Kok the day after the police used tear gas, someone was causing trouble, so the students surrounded him and called for the police to help.

“The police came and led him away. The students were worried that the police would just let him go, so they followed the policemen for the length of three streets. Only then did the police speak to the students and ask them what the troublemaker did, and if there were any witnesses. There must have been some conspiracy; how can you guarantee that the affected parties will follow along?

“Or when the triads appeared, there were far less policemen that day. The next day, officers from the organised crime unit blanketed the streets and kept asking people if they were triad members. The whole thing is just terrible.”

3.35pm: At Legco, Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Raymond Tam Chi-yuen says that the government “has been liaising with the Federation of Students, through a middleman” for a direct dialogue on the chief executive election in 2017.

“Hopefully the dialogue will be forthcoming,” he adds.

3.25pm: Beijing’s top office in Taiwan rebukes Taipei for making "irresponsible comments" on the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, warning that cross-strait relations were at stake.

The Taiwan Affairs Office did not specify which comments, but said Beijing was "resolutely opposed" to comments from Taiwan about either Hong Kong or the mainland’s political system. "The peaceful development of cross-strait ties have not come easily, and need exceptional cherishing," the office said.

The liaison body also chastised Taiwan for the frequent protests that often rock the democratic island, most notably last March when students blockaded parliament and forced the suspension of a Beijing-Taipei trade pact.

Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou caused a stir last week when he urged the mainland to move towards democracy.

3pm: Pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily has asked the High Court to impose a ban on protesters who have attempted to block its operations for three days, according to a writ filed with the High Court yesterday.

The formal court document was submitted after Deputy High Court Judge Kent Yee Kai-siu granted a temporary injunction in the early hours of yesterday. Despite the issuance of the order, protesters still gathered at the entrance to Apple Daily's headquarters, which is located at Chun Ying Street in Tseung Kwan O, yesterday night. Protesters have been saying that they want to voice their anger against what they regard as the newspaper's favourable coverage of the Occupy movement. Many of the protesters spoke Cantonese with a mainland accent.

The writ says that Apple Daily, owned by media tycoon Jimmy Lai Chi-ying, is asking for an injunction restraining protesters from interfering with the operations of the newspaper. The protesters have clustered outside the offices of the news organisation every night since October 12, attempting to obstruct the delivery of the newspapers.

The newspaper also claims for “damages for nuisance, trespass, interference with use of right of way, and unlawful interference with economic interests”.

According to the judiciary, a hearing will be held again on Friday.

2.35pm: Protesters at the main tent of Occupy Mong Kok take turns using a microphone to condemn the police actions in Admiralty overnight. Scuffles nearly break out around the camp's perimeter as middle-aged and elderly people berate protesters for blocking the roads and not going to class.

Police have to intervene and separate the two sides.

The ruckus causes Occupy supporter Joe Lo Nga-yan to break down in tears. "In a real democracy, we understand that people with differences will want to voice their opinions. If police want to take them away then fine," says Lo, a dance teacher. "But beating someone is a question of morality and this is unacceptable."

She says a 17-year-old student of hers was on Lung Wo Road last night and was hit with police batons. "He's only a child. He shouldn't have been treated this way," Lo says.

Meanwhile, an anti-Occupy man wheeled in a red bucket filled with burning incense, hoping it would bother protesters. However, his plan went up in smoke when a police officer stepped in and doused the incense with water.

A man tries to wheel in incense sticks into the Occupy Mong Kok camp, but they are doused by police. Photo: Edward Wong

2.05pm: Civic Party vice-chairwoman Tanya Chan tells the press that fellow party member Ken Tsang sustained scratches, bruises and various markings from his hips up to his head. She is also one of Tsang’s lawyers.

"There were too many to count and marked down, so the doctors have photographed him," she says.

Since being escorted in to Ruttonjee Hospital by police at around 11am, Tsang has undergone a CT scan, X-Ray and other check-ups. No bones have been broken and no internal injuries are known yet, Chan says.

It is not known what made the round red marks most prominently seen on Tsang's back, but Chan said the 2cm diameter welts looked like they were created by a hard object.

According to Tsang's statement, he was also slapped when he was held at a police station, Chan says.

Chan says Tsang will be transported to North Point police station after the check-up.

"The aim is to get him out on bail as soon as possible so he can rest," she says. A complaint against the police has been lodged.

1.55pm: The Federation of Students condemns the police operation on Lung Wo Road this morning, saying that “it is not necessary for police to resort to eviction with violence.”

In a statement, the federation calls for the resignation of police commissioner Andy Tsang Wai-hung, urging police to investigate incidents that occurred this morning, as well as offering apologies to victims.

The federation “reiterates that the government should listen to the request for a real election from the occupying citizens, and the demand should not be met by brutality from the authority,” the statement says.

“Unswayed by authority's power, HKFS will continue to fight hand in hand with citizens – to advance together for a real election.”

1.35pm: Two more Occupy Central supporters are escorted to Ruttonjee Hospital for checks on injuries, including a protester who was photographed and filmed in a Post video being pepper sprayed in the eyes as he held his hands in the air, after his goggles were pulled down by a police officer.

The total number of protesters escorted by police to Ruttonjee now amounts to eight. None of them have left yet.

The Civic Party’s Ronny Tong Kah-wah has arrived. He says he is providing legal assistance to Ken Tsang.

The protester filmed being pepper sprayed by police arrives at Ruttonjee Hospital. Photo: Sam Tsang

1.30pm: The morale of junior police officers has sunk to an all-time low as they are ordered to tolerate Occupy protesters who hold illegal rallies and cause gridlock, a police union leader claims.

"We start to be unable to distinguish right and wrong," Junior Police Officers' Association chairman Joe Chan Cho-kwong said in a telephone message to management that the union says does not represent its stance.

1.20pm: Harry’s View today provides some comic relief amid the chaos:

Harry's View on Wednesday.

1pm: Amnesty International has joined the chorus of condemnation on the alleged beating of Ken Tsang.

“Hong Kong police officers involved in the beating and kicking of a detained pro-democracy protester on Wednesday must face justice,” a statement from the group says.

“This appears to be a vicious attack against a detained man who posed no threat to the police. Any investigation into this incident must be carried out promptly and all individuals involved in unlawful acts must be prosecuted,” says Mabel Au, director of Amnesty International Hong Kong.

“It is stomach-churning to think there are Hong Kong police officers that feel they are above the law.”

Au urges the release of all 45 demonstrators arrested last night, including Tsang, who is still in police custody as he undergoes a medical examination at Ruttonjee Hospital.

“All those being held solely for exercising their rights to freedom of expression and assembly must be immediately and unconditionally released,” she says.

“Amnesty International urges the Hong Kong police to show restraint and avoid any unlawful use of force.”

12.50pm: Pro-establishment lawmaker Lam Tai-fai, vice-chairman of the police watchdog, says he disapproves of any attempt to "use violence to combat violence".

Regarding the case of Ken Tsang, he urges witnesses to pass details to the relevant department.

Asked whether reassigning the officers involved to other posts was sufficient, Lam says the police should address public concerns as soon as possible.

12.35pm: A small group of anti-Occupy central protesters marches through the protest camp by Tamar Park and the entrance to Legco, shouting and calling Labour Party lawmaker Lee Cheuk-yan “despicable” for organising Occupy Central and allegedly taking money from foreigners.

They also accuse Lee of being "anti-China" and "messing up Hong Kong." They claim Lee took money from sources in the US to finance "anti-China" activities.

Occupy Central protesters surrounded the group, yelling that they should just collect the money that they were promised and go home. The Occupy Central protesters follow the group through most of the rally to continue the argument.

When asked, one of the anti-Occupy protesters says she doesn't know most of the people she was marching with, that two of her friends brought her here. The group claims to be a contingent of "hardworking Hongkongers."

A group of 20 policemen escort the anti-Occupy protesters all the way, until they finally leave via Admiralty MTR station.

Pro- and anti-Occupy groups clash in Admiralty. Photo: Alan Yu

12.20pm: Security Secretary Lai Tung-kwok warns the MTR is near to capacity after passenger numbers rose 13 per cent to 5.8 million on October 3, compared to the same day a week ago.

He says the MTRC has arranged extra trains since the occupation started, with the railway becoming the primary transportation of the city.

"But [the system] will reach its maximum capacity soon," he says.

He once again urges protesters to remove barricades and disperse peacefully.

12.15pm: Barrister and Civic Party lawmaker Dennis Kwok alleges Ken Tsang was punched and slapped in the face at a police station after the alleged beating caught on camera.

“What [the policemen] have done us clearly criminal … and having them removed from their duty would be insufficient,” Kwok says.

He suggests that the alleged attackers should be arrested immediately.

12.10pm: Manson Yip, 19, witnessed clashes unfold between police and protesters on Lung Wo Road earlier this morning, and says the way officers handled the situation was infuriating.

"Not only were they pushing the crowd back, they were literally punching protesters," Yip says.

He admits that there was pushing back from the protesters, but says police resorted to excessive force.

The engineer recalls the Ken Tsang incident took place after a young man, who Yip says is his friend, was taken away by police, after barricades had been put on Lung Wo Road. He insists that his friend had done nothing wrong.

"A foreign police inspector in a white shirt then pulled him away," he says.

The crowd then became outraged as no explanation was given as to why his friend was arrested.

Yip says he has seen the video of Ken Tsang allegedly being assaulted by a slew of policemen.

"It's like [the police] can break the law whenever they want, and they have put themselves above the law," he says.

 

[DianWei]

Re: Give me Liberty or Give me Death! Giordano Tycoon joins Occupy Central!


Police launch probe after alleged beating of Civic Party’s Ken Tsang caught on camera

Television footage appears to show several officers striking man laying on ground

PUBLISHED : Wednesday, 15 October, 2014, 12:46pm
UPDATED : Wednesday, 15 October, 2014, 8:51pm

Staff reporters

Ken Tsang appeared to have sustained severe bruising following an alleged beating caught on camera and aired on television. Photos: Civic Party

Police have launched an investigation into the alleged beating in the early hours of this morning of Civic Party member Ken Tsang Kin-chiu as pan-democrat lawmakers labelled the attack an illegal punishment.

Earlier this morning, broadcaster TVB aired video footage showing a group of plain-clothes policemen dragging a handcuffed protester away from the main crowds in Admiralty before kicking and hitting the man, later identified as Tsang.

Police launched a major clear out of the Lung Wo Road area in the early hours of Wednesday morning, using pepper spray on protesters and arresting 45 people.

”From what we have seen, Tsang was already handcuffed [with plastic handcuffs] ... and taken to a dark corner and beaten up,” Civic Party leader Alan Leong Kah-kit said.

“This use of power and police force is a blatant abuse of power, and from the look of it, the [officer] should at least be investigated on assault to [induce] actual bodily harm.”

The director of public prosecutions should also intervene, Leong said.

Ken Tsang is led away by police before the alleged beating. Photo: Nora Tam

A few hours after the video footage was aired, photos emerged of Tsang showing several bruises on his face.

Speaking to the media before attending a Legislative Council meeting, Secretary for Security Lai Tung-kwok said that “the personnel concerned have been transferred away from the current positions”.

In a statement, police said the footage that showed officers “who are suspected of using excessive force this morning”.

“Police have already taken immediate actions and will conduct [an] investigation impartially,” the statement said.

Police said that the Complaints Against Police Office had received a relevant complaint and the office would handle the matter.

Just before noon today, one of Tsang’s lawyers and Civic Party lawmaker Dennis Kwok said Tsang had been taken, under police escort, to Ruttonjee Hospital for a medical assessment.

Police pepper-spray protesters in Lung Wo Road. Photo: Nora Tam

Kwok said that Tsang, who was initially held in a temporary detention centre at the Police College in Wong Chuk Hang, had been punched and slapped again at the police station.

“What [the policemen] have done us clearly criminal … and having them removed from their duty would be insufficient,” Kwok said.

Independent Police Complaints Council member Eric Cheung Tat-ming said the video footage was surface evidence showing that police officers may have committed a criminal act of assault.

Occupy Central organisers have also condemned the alleged beating of Tsang.

In a statement, Occupy Central said Tsang did not resist, obstruct or pose a threat to police officers in the clear-out operation.

Any person not convicted by a court of law should be considered innocent and the police officers must absolutely not resort to extra-judicial punishment, the statement said.

Police officers push protesters during an operation to clear Lung Wo Road. Photo: AFP

It added that the actions breached Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying’s earlier pledge: as long as protesters don’t cross police lines, police will exercise maximum tolerance, and allow protesters to gather.

Secretary-general of the Federation of Students Alex Chow Yong-kong called the police action unreasonable and an abuse of authority.

“You can see [Tsang] had been dragged aside, meaning that he was in police detention,” Chow said, adding that it was a case of individual police officers taking out their anger on a member of the public.

“It is contradictory to the expectation of the people, who believe they are under the protection of the police,” Chow said.

“Police should explain, investigate and make an apology for this matter.”

Human Rights Monitor’s director Law Yuk-kai said the alleged attack may breach the Crimes (Torture) Ordinance, which carries life sentences for those found guilty of inflicting severe pain on another person while performing official duties.

“Police officers are supposed to protect the citizens and they should never let their emotions prompt them do anything illegal,” Law said.

Law said their observers, who had apparently put on their vests and helmets, were also attacked by the police as they monitored the clearance.

A police officer shouts at a pro-democracy protester after he was hit with pepper spray. Photo: AFP

“This is totally unacceptable and they have breached the Johannesburg Principles – an international standard which gives [human rights observers] the right to monitor the scene,” he said.

Law said the police’s “unprofessional act” last night was an “erosion of the police force’s image” and urged the police and its watchdog to investigate the case.

Tsang is also a member of the Election Committee representing the social welfare sector.

In 2012, Tsang was forcibly removed by security officials after he protested at the swearing in ceremony for Chief Executive Leung. Tsang called for the end to one-party rule just moments before former President Hu Jintao’s address at the Convention Centre in Wan Chai.

Reporting by Emily Tsang, Tony Cheung, Jennifer Ngo, Fanny Fung, Jeffie Lam

 

[DianWei]

Re: Give me Liberty or Give me Death! Giordano Tycoon joins Occupy Central!


CY Leung reportedly sought further HK$37 million in UGL deal

PUBLISHED : Wednesday, 15 October, 2014, 5:57pm
UPDATED : Wednesday, 15 October, 2014, 6:08pm

James Griffiths, Benjamin Robertson and Joyce Ng

Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying. Photo: Felix Wong

Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying reportedly sought a further 3 million pounds (HK$37 million) from Australian firm UGL as part of his former company DTZ’s sale on top of the eventually agreed upon 4-million-pound deal, which has left him potentially facing investigation by Hong Kong’s anti-graft agency.

In a secret contract signed in December 2011 but revealed last week, UGL agreed to pay Leung 4 million pounds in two instalments in 2012 and last year. Both the Australian firm and Leung said the money was to prevent him from joining or forming a rival firm within two years. But the deal also contained an “additional commitment” by which Leung agreed to “[act] as a referee and an adviser from time to time.”

According to Fairfax Media, which obtained emails sent by top UGL and DTZ executives concerning the sale, Leung wanted an additional 3 million pounds to compensate him for stock he held in DTZ’s Japanese subsidiary.

“Please find attached CY’s analysis of his contributions he’s made to the Japanese business and which he is looking to be reimbursed as part of his cooperation for the UGL deal,” Fairfax quoted an email from an associate of Leung to DTZ’s main creditor RBS as saying.

This request for a larger sum of money, which was eventually denied, almost caused UGL to walk away from the deal.

“I do have a busy and heavy schedule and a business to run and no time for negotiating games,” UGL chief executive Richard Leupen wrote in an email dated November 26, 2011 to DTZ chairman Tim Melville-Ross. “[Leung] communicates in one-liners and gives us nothing to think we are going to reach agreement.”

“He apparently is still talking about the 3 million GBP he’s spent in Japan and there’s is [sic] no way we’re paying that on top of the 4.0 GBP agreed – this is a deal breaker,” Leupen wrote in a subsequent email.

One former senior DTZ executive told the South China Morning Post on Monday that Leung being a consummate businessman saw the UGL deal as an opportunity.

“CY lost a lot of money in DTZ. In his mind he might have been trying to recoup his losses,” said the Hong Kong based executive, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The revelations come as Leung is already facing calls for him to resign from pro-democracy protesters who have filled the streets of Hong Kong since late September. Photo: Bloomberg

The new revelations raise further questions about the sale of DTZ to UGL, particularly after it was revealed this week that a Chinese firm made a larger offer after Leung had entered into private negotiations with the Australian company.

UGL eventually bought London-listed DTZ for 77.5 million pounds in a deal that wiped out both shareholders and unsecured creditors, and required British-taxpayer-backed bank RBS to take a 30 per cent loss on a £110 million loan to the troubled real estate consultancy.

Leung would not say whether or not he welcomed the new suitor. In an email response to the Post, Leung’s spokesman Michael Yu wrote, “The decision to sell DTZ was a decision made by DTZ board of directors.”

In a report, Ernst and Young, acting as administrator for the troubled real estate consultancy, said the new offer would have taken eight weeks to complete and it was decided there was “insufficient time” given DTZ’s “cash flow position” and a “lack of further funding” from RBS.

The bidder was later reported in the Chinese press to be Tianjin Innovation Financial Investment Company, although Post reporters have been unable to reach the company for confirmation. It is not yet known whether Leung – in his role as a board member and chairman of DTZ’s lucrative Asia-Pacific operations – was asked for his opinion on Tianjin Financial.

Leung announced his resignation from DTZ’s board on November 24, which took affect on December 4, in order to stand as a candidate in Hong Kong’s chief executive election. His resignation as Asia-Pacific chairman was effective as of January 2012.

On December 2 that year, Leung signed an agreement with UGL that stipulated that he would receive payment of 4 million pounds in two instalments in 2012 and 2013, should the UGL bid prove successful. The payments were not mentioned in Leung’s annual disclosure filings.

A formal complaint has been lodged with Hong Kong’s Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) by representatives of the NeoDemocrat party. Pan-democrat lawmakers also vowed to investigate Leung’s conduct in the Legislative Council.

The deal is also facing investigation in Australia, where Green Party Senator Christine Milne has called for police to look into the matter.

“People in Hong Kong are fighting for a stronger democracy while we in Australia are watching our democracy die under the weight of corruption,” Milne said.

 

[DianWei]

Re: Give me Liberty or Give me Death! Giordano Tycoon joins Occupy Central!



LIVE: Night of anger, scuffles and pepper spray in Hong Kong after alleged police beating

PUBLISHED : Thursday, 16 October, 2014, 7:59am
UPDATED : Thursday, 16 October, 2014, 9:51am

Staff reporters

Early Thursday morning in Admiralty. Photos: Felix Wong

Good morning and welcome to our ongoing live coverage of Hong Kong's Occupy movement.

Police arrested two people overnight as large crowds returned to the streets to express their anger over a video recording which appears to show a group of police officers beating a protester.

Shortly before midnight, a group of protesters attempted to re-occupy Lung Wo Road in Admiralty, but were stopped by police. Another group gathered near City Hall where they attempted to slow down traffic by pretending to tie shoelaces and picking up intentionally dropped coins.

Protesters and police clashed again shortly before 2am in Admiralty. Pepper spray was used at least twice to disperse the crowds blocking police officers at Tamar Park.

In Mong Kok, a group of protesters build a ten metre-tall scaffolding structure for banners, but dismantled it might give police a pretext to clear the occupied area.

_______________________________________

9.15am: Legco resumed its debate on the police's handling of the Occupy protests, including the use of tear gas on September 28 and the alleged attack on protester Ken Tsang on Wednesday. More to follow.

9am: Police launch a fresh appeal for protesters to cooperate after demonstrators scuffled with officers as they arrested a man on Lung Wo Road in the early hours of this morning.

Police used pepper spray (which they describe as “OC foam”) during the incident, in which they say three officers were injured.

Here’s the full text of their statement:

At about 1.10am today (October 16), police officers saw a man on the central divider of Lung Wo Road near Tamar Park kicked a bottle which hit a private car travelling on the road. Police then arrested the 38-year-old man for disorderly conduct in a public place. During the arrest, a large crowd of protesters attempted to obstruct police and surrounded the police.

Police issued repeated advice and warnings but were ignored. The protesters attempted to charge the police and therefore police discharged OC foam to disperse the protesters. During the incident, another 24-year-old man was arrested for assaulting a police officer. A total of three police officers were injured.

Police appealed to the protesters not to obstruct and charge the police. Police reiterated that any acts endangering public order and public safety will not be tolerated.

Occupy Admiralty on Thursday morning. Photo: K.Y. Cheng

8.30am: Hong Kong lawmakers react to alleged police beating of a Occupy protester:

8am: The South China Morning Post's front-page on Thursday:

7.45am: Excerpts from the Post's coverage of the Occupy movement on Thursday:

Protests reignited by shocking images appearing to show unarmed man being beaten by officers

The video, which is several minutes long, has sparked a storm of controversy with hundreds gathering outside government and police headquarters last night in protest.

Middlemen shuttling messages between the sides

The Post has learned that at least three middlemen are trying to resolve the political impasse, one of them a prominent academic.

Image problem for police as video of officers beating protester is beamed around the world

It is understood that Detective Chief Inspector Joe Wong Cho-shing - a high-flier thought to be in line for promotion to superintendent - was in command of a team put together for Occupy duties comprising officers from his own unit and Kwun Tong district's anti-triad squad.

The casual chat room comment that sparked 45 arrests and allegations of police brutality

The line, inserted around noon, read: "Fight again on Lung Wo Road tonight". The writer signed off as Pei-Yi-Sau, but the person's real identity is not known.

Apple Daily seeks ban against anti-Occupy protesters outside its headquarters in Tseung Kwan O

The protesters have gathered outside Apple Daily's office in Tseung Kwan O every night since October 12 in an effort to obstruct the delivery of its newspapers.

Mainland liaison office rebukes Taiwan over ‘irresponsible comments’ on Hong Kong protests

Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou has expressed his support for demonstrators in the city, and last week he urged Beijing to move towards democracy.

Protesters must give up this battle to continue their war for democracy

Editorial: "However much we share the democratic aspirations, there is a limit to people's tolerance."

">

Occupy Mong Kok on Thursday morning. Photo: K.Y. Cheng

7.15am: What the local papers' front-pages are saying:

Apple Daily: Seven evil cops beat protester for four minutes

Oriental Daily: Protesters block a road a day, once again leaving HK Island traffic paralysed

Ming Pao: Protester vows to pursue legal action as seven cops involved in alleged beating

Sing Tao Daily: Tycoon Li Ka-shing urges Occupy students to go home

7am: Here's what happened earlier in the night:

Admiralty:

A group of protesters attempted to re-occupy Lung Wo Road shortly before midnight, but were stopped by police. Another group gathered near City Hall where they attempted to slow down traffic by pretending to tie shoelaces and picking up intentionally dropped coins.

One student protester who asked to be identified as James said he didn't expect to be peppersprayed at Lung Wo Road. "No warning was given. An officer in blue uniform even told me to remove my face masks as he worried I might feel hot. I wasn't expecting they would use pepper spray," he said.

Protesters and police clashed again shortly before 2am in Admiralty. Pepper spray was used at least twice to disperse the crowds blocking police officers at Tamar Park.

Police said two people were arrested: One 38 year-old man for disorderly conduct in public place when he hit a civilian car with a bottle at Lung Wo Road and another 24 year-old man for assaulting a police officer.

Lung Wo Road in the early hours of Thursday. Photo: Staff reporter

Police said three officers were injured.

Around midnight, 52 social workers filed complaints at police headquarters in Wan Chai. At around 12.30am, about 40 others were queuing and waiting for their chance to go inside the police station.

By 3.45am, the more than 300 protesters who had gathered outside police headquarters had dispersed peacefully . Arsenal Street between Hennessy Road and Gloucester Road has been re-opened to traffic.

Protesters from the Occupy movement wait on top of bridge after police blocked their attempt to block a tunnel road in Admiralty on Thursday morning. Photo: EPA

Mong Kok:

About 200 protesters in about 70 tents continued their protest at the junction of Nathan Road and Argyle Street.

A team of about ten volunteers spent more than an hour building a ten metre-tall scaffolding structure at the junction to hang a large banner.

The team were briefly stopped by police when they were transporting bamboo poles to the site because police suspected that the poles had been stolen. They were finally allowed in after displaying a receipt for the bamboo.

Scaffolding erected in Mong Kok in the night to Thursday. Photo: Danny Mok

Protesters later disassembled the structure after concerns emerged that their work might give police a pretext to clear the occupied area.

One new structure that was left standing was a makeshift Christian chapel: a tent and a five metre-high cross made of crossing bamboo poles. Foldable stools have been placed nearby where congregations are set to take place at 9pm every night.

"It's just a place where people can find some calm and peace from the stress of civil disobedience," said occupy supporter Thomas But, one of the founding members of the St Francis Chapel on the Street, which now even has it's own Facebook page.

It all started with a portrait of Jesus Christ placed at a barricade on Nathan Road. "Then a congregation began and people started donating things and before we knew it a church formed.

St Francis Chapel on the Street at Occupy Mong Kok late on Wednesday. Photo: Ernest Kao

"Everyone is welcome to join the regardless of whether they are yellow ribbon, blue ribbon or green ribbon."

About 20 people have been participating in prayer groups at Occupy Mong Kok regularly, he said. Guest pastors have also been invited to give sermons.

He said if there were any civil disobedience movements in the future he would also bring the concept of mobile street churches to them.

Tseung Kwan O

Anti-Occupy protesters, many wearing face masks, again defied a High Court order in the night to Thursday in an attempt to delay the newspaper's delivery.

 

[makapaaa]

China blocks bbc website after video shows hong kong police beating protester

[h=1]CHINA BLOCKS BBC WEBSITE AFTER VIDEO SHOWS HONG KONG POLICE BEATING PROTESTER[/h]
<!-- /.block --> <style>.node-article .field-name-link-line-above-tags{float: right;}.node-article .field-name-ad-box-in-article {float: left;margin: 15px 15px 10px 0;}.node-article .field-tags{clear: both;}</style> Post date:
16 Oct 2014 - 7:39am





<ins id="aswift_0_expand" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: currentColor; width: 336px; height: 280px; display: inline-table; visibility: visible; position: relative; background-color: transparent; border-image: none;"><ins id="aswift_0_anchor" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: currentColor; width: 336px; height: 280px; display: block; visibility: visible; position: relative; background-color: transparent; border-image: none;"><iframe name="aswift_0" width="336" height="280" id="aswift_0" frameBorder="0" marginWidth="0" marginHeight="0" scrolling="no" vspace="0" hspace="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="left: 0px; top: 0px; position: absolute;" allowTransparency="true"></iframe></ins></ins>


Hong Kong’s justice chief insists that any prosecution of plainclothes officers who were filmed beating a handcuffed protester will be handled impartially, as fresh clashes broke out on the city’s streets.


The accused officers were removed from their posts after the assault, which occurred early on Wednesday when police swooped to clear newly erected barricades blocking a road near government headquarters in the city’s Admiralty district.

Just 24 hours later a small contingent of protesters attempted to retake an underpass on the same road, leading to a confrontation that saw protesters pepper-sprayed and police heckled with chants accusing them of links with criminal triad gangs.

The BBC’s website was blocked in China, hours after a video of Hong Kong police beating and kicking a pro-democracy protester began circulating online.

The move appears to be the first time the British broadcaster’s English-language website has been completely blocked in China since December 2010, when it was inaccessible for days before the Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony for Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo.

In a statement on Wednesday, BBC director of global news Peter Horrocks said the move against the Chinese-language website “appears to be deliberate censorship”.

“The BBC strongly condemns any attempts to restrict free access to news and information and we are protesting to the Chinese authorities,” Horrocks said.

“The BBC provides impartial, trusted news to millions of people around the world, and attempts to censor our news services show just how important it is to get our accurate information to them.”

In a Twitter posting on Wednesday, BBC’s Asia bureau chief Jo Floto noted that Chinese authorities also have a “usual practice of blacking out BBC World during Hong Kong reports.

Crowds numbering in the tens of thousands have blocked main roads in three districts of the semi-autonomous Chinese city since September 28, protesting at what they call “fake democracy” offered by Beijing.
They are angered at China’s insistence that it vet candidates standing for election as the city’s next leader in 2017.

On a visit to London, Hong Kong’s Secretary for Justice Rimsky Yuen said he had not seen the footage of the alleged assault but told AFP there were “very well-established procedures” in Hong Kong to handle police complaints.
Referring to any possible criminal prosecutions arising from the alleged police beating, Yuen said: “I can guarantee that if there is any need to move in that direction, my department will handle the matter in an independent and impartial manner.”




<ins id="aswift_1_expand" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: currentColor; width: 336px; height: 280px; display: inline-table; visibility: visible; position: relative; background-color: transparent; border-image: none;"><ins id="aswift_1_anchor" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: currentColor; width: 336px; height: 280px; display: block; visibility: visible; position: relative; background-color: transparent; border-image: none;"><iframe name="aswift_1" width="336" height="280" id="aswift_1" frameBorder="0" marginWidth="0" marginHeight="0" scrolling="no" vspace="0" hspace="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="left: 0px; top: 0px; position: absolute;" allowTransparency="true"></iframe></ins></ins>


China’s Communist Party oversees a vast censorship system that aggressively blocks sites or snuffs out internet and TV content and commentary on topics considered sensitive, such as Beijing’s human rights record and criticisms of the government.

The New York Times and Bloomberg have had their websites blocked in China since they published investigations in 2012 into the family wealth of former premier Wen Jiabao and President Xi Jinping respectively.

As pro-democracy protests in China’s semi-autonomous region of Hong Kong escalated late last month, online censors moved to block the photo-sharing app Instagram, which joined Facebook, YouTube and Twitter as popular social media platforms inaccessible in mainland China.

The blocking of the BBC’s website came as a video of Hong Kong police beating a pro-democracy protester went viral on the internet.

In the video, released by Hong Kong television network TVB, a group of six plainclothes officers are shown assaulting a handcuffed and unarmed protester identified as Ken Tsang.

*Article first appeared on http://www.news.com.au/world/china-blocks-bbc-website-after-video-shows-...

 

[mojito]

Re: China blocks bbc website after video shows hong kong police beating protester

Beijing willing to vet new candidates is good what. Like they smell the durian before putting it up for sale to you. Why no good? Hongkongers are such strange people!

 

[sochi2014]

Re: China blocks bbc website after video shows hong kong police beating protester

Sibeh chow kuan!