Pro-democracy protesters expanded their rallies throughout Hong Kong on Monday, defying calls to disperse in a major pushback against Beijing's decision to limit democratic changes in the Asian financial hub. VPC
HONG KONG - OCTOBER 01: Student pro-democracy group Scholarism convenor Joshua Wong, center, makes a gesture at the Flag Raising Ceremony at Golden Bauhinia Square on Wednesday in Hong Kong.(Photo: Anthony Kwan, Getty Images)
HONG KONG -- With turned backs and loud jeers as the Chinese flag was flown over the harbor, protesters on Wednesday kicked off the National Day holiday they hope will see the biggest display yet of their mass civil disobedience campaign for greater democracy.
Student leader Joshua Wong, the 17-year-old founder of the influential Scholarism protest movement, led 30 people who turned their backs on the flag near the government's official flag-raising ceremony in the Wanchai district, "to show our disagreement towards the CCP (Chinese Communist Party), especially for the decision made on political reform in Hong Kong," he said.
The party's restrictive plans for the 2017 election for Hong Kong's leader sparked weeks of occasional protest culminating in a mass occupation of several key business areas.
With the holiday, Wong expects even larger numbers on the streets to demand the resignation of Hong Kong's chief executive, Leung Chun-ying, and that Beijing withdraw its electoral decision. Leung has called the protests illegal and said Beijing will not change its mind.
"I hope the people will keep safe and still rely on the principle of non-violence," said Wong.
Hundreds of mostly young protesters jeered and booed the Chinese red flag as it was flown past by helicopters. Authorities have already cancelled a planned evening firework show.
Ken Tong, 28, an engineer, would normally spend National Day relaxing with relatives. "But this is a critical event, people come here to show their voice not only to the Hong Kong government but also the mainland China government that we must have a free choice of chief executive," as Hong Kong's leader is called, he said.
"We want more than the chief executive resigning, as if the system doesn't change Beijing will just send anyone to sit as Chief Executive, and nothing changes," Tong said.
Leung refused to meet with protest leaders by their deadline of midnight Tuesday.
The Occupy Central civil disobedience movement set the holiday as the deadline for Leung to meet their demands for genuine democracy or step down as chief executive. The group said it would announce new civil disobedience plans if no action was taken.
Leung struck a defiant tone, saying neither he nor China's Communist leaders in Beijing would meet the group's demands. He said the August decision would stand, requiring a panel approved by the Beijing government to screen candidates for chief executive in Hong Kong's first democratic election, scheduled for 2017.
"The central government will not rescind its decision," Leung said Tuesday. He urged the tens of thousands of protesters clogging the streets of the financial hub for the past five days to go home.
He took part in the flag-raising ceremony as protesters behind police barricades yelled at him to step down.
With offices and schools closed Wednesday and Thursday for the holiday, the size of the protests could grow.
British Prime Minister David Cameron said he planned to summon the Chinese ambassador to discuss the dispute, saying Hong Kong's people should have a genuine right to choose their top leader.
China took control of the former British colony in 1997 under an arrangement of "one country, two systems" that guaranteed Hong Kong's 7 million people semi-autonomy.
Chinese President Xi Jinping vowed in a National Day speech to "steadfastly safeguard" Hong Kong's prosperity and stability. China has condemned the student-led protests as illegal but so far has not overtly intervened.
Police watch on as pro-democracy demonstrators gather ahead of a ceremony marking China's 65th National Day following overnight protests in Hong Kong on Wednesday.(Photo: Xaume Olleros AFP/Getty Images)
Police in Hong Kong on Sunday fired tear gas and pepper spray at the protesters, but the demonstrations spread farther in the city. The demonstrations prompted China to cancel a massive fireworks display planned for Wednesday over Hong Kong's Victoria Harbor.
"The people on the streets are here because we've made the decision ourselves and we will only leave when we have achieved something," said Chloe Cheung, 20, a student at the Hong Kong Institute of Education. "We are waiting for the government to respond to our demands for democracy and a say in what the elections will be like."
Protesters sleep on the streets outside the Hong Kong Government Complex on Sept. 30, 2014.(Photo: Getty)
Some protesters have labeled the movement "the umbrella revolution" for the umbrellas many are holding to deflect pepper spray and tear gas.
"Hong Kong could be the first to have a democratic system, then it could bring changes to China, maybe in 10 years' time," said Winston Leung, 55, speaking at Hong Kong's Man Mo temple on Tuesday. "Chinese authorities are most worried that democratic demands will spread to cities on the mainland."
Retiree Cheung Chiu, 78, said the protests sparked hopes that he'll see a more democratic Hong Kong before he dies. "I came here to thank the young people," said Cheung, who fled the mainland for Hong Kong in 1962. "They are different from their counterparts in China who have been brainwashed and only care about money."
Bank clerk Mark Lam, 25, clutched a self-made sign, "Say no to censored election," as he protested at Causeway Bay. "My father thinks the (Beijing) government is too strong and little can be changed, but I came out as I still believe there is some hope in Hong Kong," Lam said. On the mainland, "you can't even access Facebook and YouTube there, not to mention actually going onto the street to express your view," he added.
The government in Beijing may be displeased, but the protest movement impressed at least one visitor from the mainland. While shopping for handbags and make-up, Zai Ningyi, 28, of Guangzhou in southern China, stopped to take cellphone selfies beside the mass of demonstrators.
"Hong Kong has more freedom than China, and people can speak out here, so they should keep pushing to ensure they keep developing," she said. "I hope one day we, too, can demonstrate and express our views in China."
For now, her plans to send photos by WeChat to friends back home may be interrupted by Chinese censors, who blocked Instagram to prevent sending news about the protests.
Contributing: The Associated Press
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