Hong Kong protest founders to 'surrender'
Hong Kong, China | Tuesday 12/2/2014 You know about the protests in Hong Kong that have been going on since more than 2 months, yes? If you don't or need a refresh, click on this link to read about the protests. The protestors are asking for democracy in Hong Kong. The protest scene took an important turn lately. The original founders of Hong Kong's pro-democracy Occupy movement tearfully announced Tuesday they would "surrender" by turning themselves in to police and urged protesters on the streets to retreat. Benny Tai, Chan Kin-man and Chu Yiu-ming were three people who founded the 'Occupy Central' movement. This included demonstrations on major city areas and around government buildings.
Pro-democracy activists Benny Tai (Center) poses with Chan Kin-man (Left) and Chu Yiu-ming (Right). The three original founders of Hong Kong's pro-democracy Occupy movement tearfully announced they would "surrender" by turning themselves into police and urged protesters still on the streets to retreat.AFP PHOTO / Johannes EISELE The announcement came after hundreds of pro-democracy (in favour of democracy) protesters clashed with police on Sunday, leaving dozens injured.
"As we prepare to surrender, we three urge the students to retreat –- to put down deep roots in the community and transform the movement,"said Occupy Central leader Benny Tai. Tai said he, along with the group's co-founders Chan Kin-man and Chu Yiu-ming, would surrender to police on Wednesday. But the movement has grown beyond the leadership of these three gentlemen. The protestors also include college students amongst others. These protesters, who have blocked three major intersections since late September demanding free leadership elections for Hong-Kong, said they cannot leave until their demands have been met.
"We should not consider an end to the campaign until there is a solid achievement."said 24-year-old protester Raymond Tsang. Teenage protest leader Joshua Wong began a hunger strike Monday in a last attempt to force the government into further talks. An important moment Tai and Chan, along with Baptist minister Chu, founded the Occupy Central civil disobedience group in early 2013. Tai praised the bravery of those at the frontline of the mass occupations and criticised the police as "out of control", but added that it was time for protesters to leave "this dangerous place".
Tai said. While there is no specific warrant out for the founders' arrest, Hong Kong and Chinese authorities have consistently said that the protests are illegal. Tai said the Occupy movement would now take a different approach to promoting its cause, including through education and a new social charter. But experts say the students are unlikely to listen to the call for retreat. The city's leader Leung Chun-ying warned Monday that the "intolerable" protests will come to nothing and hinted that further police action may take place. © 1994-2014 Agence France-Presse by Aaron TAM Modified to suit younger audience"To surrender is not to fail -- it is a silent denunciation of a heartless government,"
