Last remnants of Hong Kong pro-democracy camp cleared
HONG KONG: The last remnants of the tent city that once blocked a major highway through Hong Kong during mass pro-democracy protests was cleared away by city authorities yesterday.
The camp of around 150 tents outside the legislature — complete with flower pots, a study area and large colourful banners — was a final outpost of the former Admiralty rally site that was cleared in December.
The public protests over how Hong Kong chooses its next leader in 2017 were sparked by a ruling from Beijing last year that all candidates must be vetted by a loyalist committee.
Campaigners derided the bill as ‘fake democracy’ and tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets to object.
The proposal was finally voted down by pro-democracy lawmakers last week and many of those who had made the ‘Tim Mei New Village’ camp their home prepared to move as police indicated a clearance was imminent.
By yesterday morning, all that remained were some ramshackle tents and piles of unwanted belongings, from sofas and mannequins to mugs, toys and slippers.
Dozens of government officials moved in with brooms and saws to dismantle the tents, while trucks waited to transport the debris away.
“The deadline has expired. I now announce that officers... will... remove the persons, tents, marquees and other properties,” an official announced over a loudspeaker.
One male protester carrying a yellow umbrella — the symbol of the democracy movement — was seen by an AFP reporter being led away from a tent by what appeared to be plain clothes police officers. — AFP