Here’s an archive of daily Umbrella Movement events from day one till day fifty-four.
Follow the latest Occupy movement developments in Hong Kong at our new daily updates page.
Want to know how the Umbrella Movement started and what’s it all about? Check out the key events leading up to the Sept. 28 demonstrations and our FAQ.
Day Fifty-four
Thursday, Nov. 20
- The Hong Kong people might be tired of the Umbrella Movement, according to polls conducted by universities.
Media mogul Jimmy Lai, who owns the pro-democracy publication Apple Daily, also thinks its time for the protesters to retreat.
- Scholarism leader Joshua Wong still refuses to clearly state if he condemns the LegCo attack.
In an interview with an RTHK talk show on Thursday morning, Wong refused to state plainly what he though about the smashing of the legislature’s glass door despite being asked many time by the programme’s host, according to the South China Morning Post.
Wong only conceded that the masked protesters’ acted irresponsibly.
“What I would condemn was a lack of accountability among the masked protesters,” he said.
“They broke a glass door and urged those from behind to move in while they stood aloof outside,” Wong add. “They failed to look after the safety of the other protesters.”
Joshua Wong also feels that the Occupy protests should continue even though a University of Hong Kong poll reveals more than 80 percent of Hong Kong people polled think the demonstrators should end their occupation.
- British public service television broadcaster Channel 4 conducted an interview with a supposed triad member, “Mr Kong,” who claims that the Chinese Communist Party is behind the LegCo break-in.
“Mr Kong” says that the triads are not interfering in the Occupy movement for political reasons, but for money, and that police won’t stop them because they have a “relationship” with the Hong Kong government and the police.
- There is a post on HKGolden, a popular Hong Kong online forum, inciting protesters to assault the main stage in Admiralty on Friday, 10:30 p.m. Hong Kong time, and start a new main stage. Radical protesters who stormed LegCo on Wednesday were also inspired by posts on HKGolden.
- The Court of Appeal will decide whether to hear a challenge by an Occupy protesters against the Mong Kok injunction on Friday. This is the second appeal made to the court order. The first was rejected.
- Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying once again claimed that the “involvement of external forces in ‘Occupy Central’ was not a mere speculation” in response to question at the Legislative Council meeting.
- The Canadian House of Commons has adopted a motion supporting democratic freedoms in Hong Kong.
Day Fifty-three
Wednesday, Nov. 19
- A group of radical protesters smashed the glass door of the Hong Kong Legislative Council building.
The protesters, who refer to themselves as “netizens,” claimed that they were storming LegCo to protest Internet Article 23, a bill that could curb online freedom, from being voted on later that day. This information was later revealed to be false because the bill is only slated for discussion in 2015.
Police arrived on scene after the “netizens” broke the class and multiple scuffles broke out through the night. Although police used pepper spray and batons, they were restrained as compared to earlier incidents in Mong Kok and Causeway Bay. Four male protesters were arrested.
This action has been condemned by student activist groups and pan-democratic legislators, as well as the police.
The LegCo session scheduled for today has been postponed because of the attack.
- The high court has briefed the plaintiffs, bailiffs, and police about the clearing of Mong Kok as per a court injunction taken out by two private taxi operators and a mini-bus company against the protesters.
Television networks report that Argyle Street will be cleared on Tuesday, followed by Nathan Road on Wednesday.
- A University of Hong Kong survey found that more young people are against the Occupy movement.
58 percent out of 513 people from the ages 18 to 29 polled were against the student-led movement, while in total, 83 percent of those polled felt that the protesters should end the occupation.
Day Fifty-two
Tuesday, Nov. 18
- The clearing of CITIC Tower went rather smoothly, with protesters allowing the bailiffs to remove the barricades as stated in the injunctions and nothing more.
This is how modest today’s clearance was. Red = cleared area, green = remaining #OccupyHK roads. pic.twitter.com/ypmd2OEpmE
— Tom Grundy (@tomgrundy) November 18, 2014
Scholarism convener Joshua Wong said that the court orders shouldn’t be abused to clear the wider Admiralty occupied area.
Although the bailiffs didn’t respond after clearing the stipulated area, it was reported later that there won’t be any further clearances at Admiralty tomorrow.
Landlord of CITIC Tower just told Now TV that there wont be any clearance action tomorrow #OccupyHK #umbrellamovement pic.twitter.com/mFleWZsR2i
— matthew robertson (@mprobertson) November 18, 2014
The government could erect a 3-meter high fence surrounding portions of the Legislative Council compound though.
- The court injunction for the Mong Kok protest site have been published in the papers, which means that their enforcement could take place on Wednesday, Nov. 19.
Mong Kok #occupyhk clearance area will also be small. Court order notice/map published today @hongwrongblog pic.twitter.com/gF0k1eDWpn
— Tom Grundy (@tomgrundy) November 18, 2014
- Rimsky Yuen, the Secretary for Justice, says that the Hong Kong government won’t use the courts to resolve political problems in response to former Chief Justice Andrew Li’s remarks.
However, Yuen insists that the Occupy movement is a legal issue, and citizens have the right to turn to the courts.
Responding to the Hong Kong legal communities’ statements that the Department of Justice should be taking over from private litigants, Yuen said that his department decided against it after considering “all factors.”
- The Hong Kong Federation of Students and Scholarism have stated that they will remain at the three protest sites all the way to maintain the “spirit of civil disobedience.”
- The Chinese Communist Party supposedly has blacklisted 500 students from entering the mainland.
Day Fifty-one
Monday, Nov. 17
- The Hong Kong high court has authorized bailiffs and police to clear the protest site in Admiralty.
In a press release, police announce that protesters should obey the court order, dismantle the barricades, pack up their personal belongings, and end their act of civil disobedience.
- In a poll by the Chinese University of Hong Kong, about 67.4 percent of people feel that the pro-democracy protesters should end their occupation immediately.
Those who oppose the Umbrella Movement have also rose to 43.5 percent from 35.5 percent in October.
- Hong Kong’s Financial Secretary John Tsang wrote in a blog post that protesters should end their occupation now that they’ve reached the fifty day mark in order to retain the “moral high ground” and respect the rule of law. Tsang also reminded protesters that defying court orders is illegal.
- In the face of increased opposition, Scholarism convener Joshua Wong says that the students will only stand down if there are better alternatives to the present political reforms being proposed.
- James Tien, the pro-Beijing Hong Kong lawmaker who was expelled from the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) for speaking up against Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, once again criticized Leung.
At RTHK’s City Forum program, Tien said that Leung doesn’t have a strategy to stop pan-democratic parties from blocking the government passing policies in the Legislative Council and properly resolve the pro-democracy impasse in the city.
- Three more students have been blocked from entering the mainland. These students, one from Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the other two from Lingnan University, had supposedly helped with the Occupy protesters’ logistics.
The Hong Kong Federation of Students has called on the government to explain the cancellation of students’ Home Return Permits, and if there is a “black list” of students.
HKFS is also planning to send large groups of students across the border to show how the Chinese immigration authorities are “abusing their power.”
Day Fifty
Sunday, Nov. 16
- Check out 50 days of Hong Kong in photos!
- The Hong Kong Federation of Students released an open letter to Chinese premier Li Keqiang (Chinese version here, English here).
In the letter, the student organization invited Premier Li to visit Hong Kong and learn the situation on the ground himself.
Students also refuted charges in Chinese state-run media that “foreign forces” are manipulating the Umbrella Movement.
- The Chinese Immigration Authority allegedly has a list of more than 500 students it will deny entry into the mainland regardless of whether they are participating in the occupation.
Present and former HKFS and Scholarism members, as well as other student organization members, are supposedly on this list.
- The president of Baptist University’s Students’ Union, Mio Chan, has urged fellow students not to accept graduation certificates from Vice-Chancellor Albert Chan on Monday’s graduation ceremony.
Vice-Chancellor Chan had refused to give a certificate to a student holding up a yellow umbrella at an earlier ceremony.
The university says that while it respects students’ freedom of expression, ceremonies are supposed to be solemn occasions, and participants need to respect others and the event.
- Yvonne Leung, one of five HKFS leaders who participated in the student-government dialogue, said that police should not be taking the lead in enforcing the high court’s injunctions against the Occupy movement.
- “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” star Chow Yun-fat finally gets the “Mr & Little Ms HK People“ treatment.
Here Chow is depicted in his “God of Gamblers” (a very popular Hong Kong comedy film) outfit.
MORE: ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’ Star is Too Rich to be Bothered by China Ban
MORE: ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’ Lead Says Hong Kong Students, Gov’t Need Frank Talk
MORE: Mr. CY Leung and Little Miss Carrie Lam Are Too Cute and Cuddly to Hate
Day Forty-nine
Saturday, Nov. 15
- Alex Chow, Eason Chung and Nathan Law from the Hong Kong Federation of Students were denied entry into China.
About a hundred pro-democracy supporters and police were at the Hong Kong airport when Cathay Pacific staff told the HKFS representatives that their Home Re-entry Permits had been cancelled.
The trio were looking to meet up with Chinese officials in Beijing to share the Hong Kong people’s opinions, as well as ask for greater democracy.
Chief Secretary Carrie Lam said that the Central Government in Beijing is aware of Hongkongers’ hopes for universal suffrage and the “Chief Executive’s report on constitutional reform submitted to the Standing Committee had already reflected Hong Kong people’s aspirations for universal suffrage,” according to an official government press release.
Later in the evening, Chow, Chung, and Law addressed the crowd at Admiralty.
- The Hong Kong Court of Appeal rejected an Occupy protesters’ application to overturn injunctions given to two taxi associations and a public light bus company that seek the clearing of barricades in Mong Kok.
The application, made by Dominic Fok, argues that the private transportation companies had failed to show that their businesses had suffered because of the occupation.
- Pro-democracy publication Passion Times says they sustained severe denial-of-service attacks.
Local pro-democracy news media @Passiontimes sustaining 200mil/s DDoS cyberattacks at peak #OccupyHK http://t.co/6Xpe9HY6La
— TranslateUmbrellaMvt (@TranslateHK) November 15, 2014
Day Forty-eight
Friday, Nov. 14
- HKFS secretary general Alex Chow, Nathan Law and Eason Chung will be making the trip to Beijing on Saturday to seek an audience with Chinese officials.
香 港 人 不 認 命 pic.twitter.com/9SwTPQrtZX
— 陈志斌 (@czb5438) November 14, 2014
The trio, who are hoping to speak directly with Chinese regime premier Li Keqiang, have two objectives in mind, namely, to let the Chinese communist regime know the true public opinion of Hongkongers, and to strong protest the Chinese regime’s impositions on Hong Kong.
- The Court of First Instance (Hong Kong’s High Court) has held up the injunction to clear the Occupy protest site in Mong Kok after the Court of Appeal questioned the wording of said injunction.
A high court judge first issued the injunction order three weeks ago to a mini-bus company and taxi driver groups. The injunction barred protesters from portions of Nathan Road “near to” and between Argyle Street and Dundas Street.
According to RTHK, Court of Appeal judges Mr. Justice Cheung and Mr. Justice Lam have called into question the term “near to,” and are also concerned about the “interim period” stated in the injuction.
Senior Counsel Johnny Mok, who represents the transport groups, agreed that the injunction should not be served, advertised, and carried out for the time being.
Senior Council Gladys Li, who represents the defendants, says that the plaintiffs have not proven that they have incurred economic damage because of the occupation of Mong Kok.
(On a side note, at an earlier university forum, Legislative Council member Albert Chan said that people have evidence that the mini-bus group are actually making more money after the Occupy movement because they have increased their fares. Chan added that the mini-bus operator are hiding this fact from the court.)
Li also said that the Occupy movement case is a special one because many people are at risk of being detained if the injunction is carried out, and this could have constitutional and practical implications if the persons arrested are not found guilty of disobeying the terms of the court order.
Mr. Justice Lam and Mr. Justice Cheung believe that the court will give a decision on Saturday noon.
There is no word yet about whether the Admiralty injunction has been approved.
Day Forty-seven
Thursday, Nov. 13
- Hong Kong Federation of Students (HKFS) deputy secretary general Lester Shum says that the student organization will stick to its original plan to go to Beijing on Saturday to request a meeting with Chinese officials.
Chow adds that the HKFS will cancel the trip if Hong Kong police move in to drive out the protesters before they fly on Nov. 15 because the police action will be a clear sign that the central government doesn’t wish to listen to Hongkonger’s appeals.
Lester Shum: hope to set up promotion stations in communities explaining why we chose civil disobedience #OccupyHK pic.twitter.com/yOYV6LelSt
— Kris Cheng (@krislc) November 12, 2014
- Rita Fan, the Hong Kong representative to the Chinese legislature, criticized the HKFS students in a strongly worded letter after they announced plans to meet Chinese officials in Beijing.
- Johannes Chan, Dean of the University of Hong Kong’s Faculty of Law, and Mr. Justice Henry Litton, non-permanent judge of the Court of Final Appeal, question the high court injunctions against the Occupy movement.
- Hong Kong’s high court has rejected protesters’ appeals regarding the injunctions. Police are expected to assist bailiffs in clearing the protest sites on Friday at the earliest.
- Two Occupy Central marshals were arrested on charges of “fighting in a public space” after they restrained three men who attacked media mogul Jimmy Lai yesterday.
Protesters gathered at the police station to call for their release, and they were eventually released on bail.
Day Forty-six
Wednesday, Nov. 12
- The Umbrella Movement Tents Population Census Facebook page has another update of the tent count as of Nov. 11.
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There are currently 2197 tents in the Admiralty and Central district. It is unclear how many tents are in Mong Kok and Causeway Bay.
- At a press conference at the APEC meetings in Beijing, Chinese leader Xi Jinping says that the Occupy movement is illegal under Hong Kong law.
Xi also says that the central government won’t interfere in Hong Kong’s affairs, and suggests that there won’t be a violent clearing of the occupied sites.
- As APEC draws to a close and the Hong Kong government showing signs that they are about to move in to clear the protesters and make arrests, leaders from various protest groups have stepped up to share their plans when police eventually show up.
Occupy Central organizers Benny Tai, Chan Kin Man and Chu Yiu Ming announce that they will turn themselves over to the police on Nov. 21.
#UmbrellaMovement Day46 in Eng+中文 #OccupyCentral #UmbrellaRevolution #OccupyHK #HongKong #umhk http://t.co/Djk3xNczNQ pic.twitter.com/kX9hI1ZtWk
— Roydon Ng (@RoydonNg) November 12, 2014
Tai had earlier insisted that the Occupy Central protests have not undermined the rule of law in Hong Kong.
Scholarism convener Joshua Wong says he will stay in the occupied area when the police move in, and is prepared to be arrested.
Likewise, Hong Kong Federation of Students deputy secretary general Lester Shum says that the student organization’s leaders won’t leave the areas if police move in, will accept arrest, and state their case of civil disobedience in court.
Shum also hopes to explain why the HKFS chose civil disobedience via promotion stations in communities.
- Apple Daily owner Jimmy Lai was splashed with animal organs at the Admiralty protest site by three men. The attackers were apprehended by members of the crowd and were later handled over to the police, who arrested them.
Ming Pao reports the two Occupy protesters who helped apprehend the assailants were later arrested.
- Occupy supporter and former government surveyor Benny Mok has finally ended his hunger strike.
Mr Hungry Benny Mok is finally ending his 40 day strike. Good to hear. #UmbrellaRevolution #OccupyHK pic.twitter.com/IcEaUcStfv
— EdgarwithaC (@csnl26) November 10, 2014
The 51-year-old spent 40 days outside the government headquarters in Admiralty without food, subsisting on only saline solution because he is a diabetic. In total, Mok lost 30 pounds.
According to Apple Daily, Hong Kong’s “Mr. Hungry” says he won’t hesitate to go on another hunger strike if the government tries to clear the students out by force or attempts to defame them.
In the mean time, Mok is thinking about preparing food for those at the protest sites.
Day Forty-five
Tuesday, Nov. 11
- Chief Secretary Carrie Lam says that the Hong Kong government won’t hold any more dialogues with the Hong Kong Federation of Students, and urges students to leave the protest zones “voluntarily and peacefully.”
Lam adds that Hong Kong police will enforce High Court injunctions to clear the occupied area, and arrests will be made “where necessary.”
- Reports suggest that about 7,000 police officers will be mobilized to drive protesters off the streets after the APEC summit ends on Wednesday.
- The Hong Kong Federation of Students has written an open letter to the National People’s Congress (NPC) deputy Rita Fan requesting her assistance in arranging a meeting with Chinese officials in Beijing.
However, Priscilla Lau, a Hong Kong delegate to the NPC, says there’s no chance of a meeting and that students should go home.
- Most Western media report that Chinese leader Xi Jinping has backed beleaguered Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying.
However, some media, including the Chinese language Epoch Times, report that Xi only reminded Leung that the Chinese regime wishes to “maintain the ‘One Country, Two Systems’ framework and uphold the Hong Kong Basic Law.”
The meaning of this is actually rather ambiguous and can be read in a number of ways, but it definitely cannot be seen as Xi showing clear support for Leung.
Quite the contrary, Xi’s statement could be a subtle warning to Leung and the pro-Jiang Zemin faction which he belongs to: if the Hong Kong situation is mishandled, they’re out.
See the FAQ section for more information about the on-going struggle between the Xi Jinping and Jiang Zemin factions.
- Student groups and pan-democrats held a three-hour meeting to decide if the lawmakers should go ahead with a mass walkout to force a by-election, but no consensus was reached.
Another meeting has been set for Nov. 20.
- Tonya Tai, daughter of Occupy Central with Love and Peace co-founder Benny Tai, wrote about her father in an article on inmediahk.net.
In the article, which got more than 32,000 Facebook “likes,” Tonya said she is proud of her father’s “selflessness” and said that it pained her to see his greying hair and hear his hoarse voice since the Occupy movement took off.
Day Forty-four
Monday, Nov. 10
Here’s a quick census of the tents in Admiralty, courtesy of Epoch Times journalist Matt Robertson:
within this frame roughly 300 (yes that many, prob w error of 5%). I can see admiralty #OccupyHK having 1000+ tents pic.twitter.com/Q3xfZPytgm
— matthew robertson (@mprobertson) November 10, 2014
- On the first day of the 2014 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings, President Barack Obama says that while he supports human rights and freedoms, he recognizes that China-Hong Kong relations are “historically complicated,” and the U.S. has a “significant interest in business to do with China.”
That being said, Obama hopes that “violence is avoided” in Hong Kong.
- The world will soon know if the Hong Kong police resorts to violence again as the Hong Kong High Court has approved injunctions to clear the occupied sites, including the use of bailiffs to carry out the order.
Hong Kong police have allegedly been spotted surveying the protest sites. Netizens are predicting that the police will move in after the APEC meetings end on Tuesday, Nov. 11.
- Former Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa sets up a think-tank, “Our Hong Kong Foundation,” with 88 consultants. Tung claims that the groups’ top priority is to find a solution to the Occupy Central protests, as well as nurture political talent in Hong Kong.
Earlier, Tung had said he won’t be a go-between for the Hong Kong Federation of Students (HKFS) and the Chinese regime officials should the HKFS leaders go to Beijing for direct negotiations.
- Scholarism convener Joshua Wong explains an incident that took place on the main stage in Admiralty on his Facebook page.
Apparently, some protesters were prevented from going up to the main stage to speak because they disagreed with the Hong Kong Federation of Students (HKFS) and Scholarism, two prominent student bodies that largely control the main stage.
//
Day Forty-three
Sunday, Nov. 9
Admiralty over a month into the protests.
Tent city Day #43 start week #7 Admiralty #HongKong #OccupyCentral #OccupyHK #UmbrellaMovement #UmbrellaRevolution pic.twitter.com/9wpZBuQce2
— don north (@donplusn) November 9, 2014
Some protesters are planning to occupy the UK Consulate in hopes of getting the British to clarify the agreement they made with China prior to Hong Kong’s handover.
In Mongkok now. A plan to ‘occupy’ British consulate 4pm on November 21st. #OccupyHK pic.twitter.com/hkVHyntNy3
— Tom Grundy (@tomgrundy) November 9, 2014
Under the eyes of police, a few hundred protesters marched from Central to the China Liaison Office. They fastened yellow ribbons to barricades surrounding the building.
Pro-democracy march to #China’s liaison office in Hong Kong just started from Chater Garden. #OccupyHK #OccupyCentral pic.twitter.com/MlthXpF3LD
— Fion Li (@fion_li) November 9, 2014
Children hold yellow umbrellas reading ’real universal suffrage' at the Civil Front march #OccupyHK pic.twitter.com/j21djEW5zm
— Tom Grundy (@tomgrundy) November 9, 2014
Student leader Joshua Wong has told protesters and the press that more discussion is needed before the Occupy protests can end.
Day Forty-two
Saturday, Nov. 8
25 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, award-winning Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami has given warm support to the protesters in Hong Kong, comparing them to the people of East Germany who stood up for democracy in 1989.
A member of Scholarism, the group led by student leader Joshua Wong, has been denied entry into China. Student leaders from Occupy are trying to arrange a visit to Beijing in hopes of negotiating with the central Chinese government.
Day Forty-one
Friday, Nov. 7
Google CEO and known critic of the Chinese regime Eric Schmidt has visited the protest sit in Admiralty. In 2010 Google left China due to censorship and hacking by the Chinese government.
Over a thousand officers are reportedly training for a mass crackdown at the Wong Chuk Hang Police Academy.
Alex Chow, one of the protest leaders, has said that the movement may last until next spring, depending on when legislative reform can be implemented by the Hong Kong government. The focus now is gaining public support, he said.
When or if student representatives will go to Beijing is still unclear.
Student leader Yvonne Leung consults with protesters in Mong Kok about taking the fight to Beijing. pic.twitter.com/8l8hlirNIk
— Lily Kuo (@lilkuo) November 7, 2014
Artists have depicted a number of famous figures, past and present, as supporters of the Umbrella Movement.
#雨傘革命 海報 1920X1080 full size DL link : https://t.co/I3m3XtcJgy #OccupyHK #UmbrellaRevolution https://t.co/ab5tFOK3uN pic.twitter.com/NK4IyLdE1x
— kickick (@sidekickick) November 7, 2014
Day Forty
Thursday, Nov. 6
After last night’s and this morning’s clashes between police and protesters, Argyle St. in Mong Kok remains in pro-democratic hands.
Apparently police tried and failed to retake Argyle Street.Some people were pushed,stomped,sprayed. And now Argyle occupied again. #OccupyHK
— matthew robertson (@mprobertson) November 5, 2014
Chris Patten, the last governor of Hong Kong when it was still a colony, has said that the British did a poor job of introducing democracy there.
Though police administration has earlier rebuked officers for wearing yellow ribbons (pro-Occupy) on the grounds that they are not part of the standard police uniform, today police chiefs have said that officers wearing blue anti-Occupy ribbons is an appropriate expression of their right to free speech. Protesters have criticized this hypocrisy.
Day Thirty-nine
Wednesday, Nov. 5
Read here for a more detailed look at the police actions that started in the evening today.
“Order of Battle” on Argyle Street in Mong Kok:
Nathan Street from a height.Estimate less than 1000 directly facing off agnst police in Mong Kok. is #OccupyHK tired? pic.twitter.com/xmTnGKnmCh
— matthew robertson (@mprobertson) November 5, 2014
The police move on mong kok this fine evening couldnt have been more predictable. Argyle was unguarded and quickly fell. #Occupyhk
— matthew robertson (@mprobertson) November 5, 2014
Police have begun to move in Mong Kok. Arrests made.
Police just arrested a guy in Mong Kok. Heard lots of yelling then saw police marching him into a van.
— China Uncensored (@ChinaUncensored) November 5, 2014
More police headed into Mong Kok #occupyHK #UmbrellaMovement pic.twitter.com/dP6Qe406Di
— China Uncensored (@ChinaUncensored) November 5, 2014
Protesters on the front line are suited up #umbrellafail #occupyhk pic.twitter.com/gZEPTgguvi
— China Uncensored (@ChinaUncensored) November 5, 2014
Line of police up along barricade #UmbrellaMovement #occupyHK pic.twitter.com/NeZ4ZCwh5t
— China Uncensored (@ChinaUncensored) November 5, 2014
Remember, remember the 5th of November: about 50 people wearing Guy Fawkes masks have appeared in Admiralty to support the protesters.
also giving out masks if people want to join #OccupyHK pic.twitter.com/cNOHNpodTO
— Kris Cheng (@krislc) November 5, 2014
Pose 2 #OccupyHK pic.twitter.com/0T58Gm5aLJ
— Kris Cheng (@krislc) November 5, 2014
Day Thirty-eight
Tuesday, Nov. 4
Apple Daily has reported that representatives from the Federation of Students have made plans to travel to Beijing on Friday, Nov. 7. Their arrival coinciding with the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, they hope to to meet with central government officials and obtain a response to the student body’s call to reform Hong Kong’s electoral system.
According to the South China Morning Post, travelers from Hong Kong have been asked whether they have umbrellas upon arrival at the airport in Beijing.
A “support our police” petition, commonly misconstrued by its organizers and pro-Beijing media to be an “anti-Occupy” petition, has been submitted to Hong Kong’s Chief Secretary Carrie Lam. Max Lau, a Scholarism leader, has criticized Lam for the inclusion of Robert Chow’s “Support our police” petition in her official report. Lau says it is an inaccurate representation of popular opinion.
Where is Rob Chow’s 1.8m person silent majority? Arrive bit late for his anti #occupycentral protest Only 2 ppl here pic.twitter.com/SALs3uiWC6
— Ivan Broadhead (@ivanbroadhead) November 4, 2014
Day Thirty-seven
Monday, Nov. 3
Zhou Fengsuo, who took part in the 1989 Tiananmen protests, has expressed his support for the Occupy Movement. He sees “the future of China’s democracy in Hong Kong”.
Robert Chow, of the anti-Occupy camp, has been criticized for comparing the Umbrella Movement to the Japanese occupation. “We have in total two occupation: the first is when Japan occupied Hong Kong, and the second time is this time,” he said.
Anti-Occupy Rally sees mostly infirm and elderly. According to Joshua Wong, a student leader, the ability of the anti-Occupy leader Robert Chow to move through the Admiralty protest site without trouble proves the nonviolent and non-disruptive nature of the Umbrella Movement.
Anti-Occupy rally: Almost everyone is over 60. Many smiles for the camera. It seems to be past some people’s bedtime... #OccupyCentral
— Coconuts Hong Kong (@CoconutsHK) November 3, 2014
Groups of elderly people being escorted to the bathroom.
— Coconuts Hong Kong (@CoconutsHK) November 3, 2014
The number of tents at Nathan Road in Mong Kok has increased by a sixth since Oct. 31.
Nathan Rd tent census. My last count on Friday was 263. Today, there are 308 tents. And 8 sofas (2 of which are inflatable). #occupyHK
— Hong Kong Hermit (@breakandattack) November 3, 2014
“Referendums have no validity” http://t.co/T1NhJQWdbr a solemn warning from China Daily in light of recent “antics” by “the occupy central”
— matthew robertson (@mprobertson) November 3, 2014
Day Thirty-six
Sunday, Nov. 2
The number of anti-Occupy protesters arrested by the police is over 300 for the duration of the Umbrella Movement.
An article published on BBC Newslight has met with widespread criticism for its inaccurate portrayal of the Umbrella Movement. Occupy Central has urged BBC to remove the story.
High school students have joined in solidarity with the Umbrella Movement protesters.
Mass production of “I want true universal suffrage” posters:
The banners are going to be hung from sailing ships near Shatin.The calligrapher just happened to be nearby.#OccupyHK pic.twitter.com/kcYqxfCK5z
— matthew robertson (@mprobertson) November 2, 2014
Day Thirty-five
Saturday, Nov. 1
Are the Hong Kong police engineering an escalation?
police in mong kok just made a show of injured officer being loaded onto ambulance, encouraged media to photograph the scene. #occupyhk
— matthew robertson (@mprobertson) October 31, 2014
Epoch Times photographer @Ben_Chasteen on Nathan Rd. says the policeman was injured during an arrest. #OccupyHK #UmbrellaMovement
— China Uncensored (@ChinaUncensored) October 31, 2014
Unclear whether policeman was injured due to protesters or another group trying to stir up trouble. #OccupyHK #UmbrellaMovement
— China Uncensored (@ChinaUncensored) October 31, 2014
Police very accommodating to media taking photos of injured officer. Let them get right up to the ambulance. #OccupyHK #UmbrellaMovement
— China Uncensored (@ChinaUncensored) October 31, 2014
Day Thirty-four
Friday, Oct. 31
The banner from Lion Rock has now been unfurled on Kowloon Peak.
Lion Rock banner at Kowloon Peak. Appledaily photo #OccupyHK https://t.co/702JkqAIxU pic.twitter.com/5wfopVsJNt
— Kris Cheng (@krislc) October 31, 2014
Despite “appearing” in the protests with umbrella in hand, CCP boss Xi Jinping has maintained the regime’s position on Hong Kong.
Xi Jinping on HK in Fourth Plenary Session: won’t be shaken by any act to move HK out of China thr reform http://t.co/MfxDccfa6y #OccupyHK
— Galileo Cheng (@galileo44) October 31, 2014
Day Thirty-three
Thursday, Oct. 30
A statement made by Laura Cha Shih May-lung, chairwoman of the Financial Services Development Council, about elections in Hong Kong has drawn criticism.
“American slaves were liberated in 1861 but did not get voting rights until 107 years later,” she said. “So why can’t Hong Kong wait for a while?”
Shortly after Cha’s statement, democracy supporters started an online petition to condemn her statements, which they said were distasteful and historically inaccurate.
“She failed to understand that the full ratification of 15th Amendment in 1870 already granted full emancipation to African-American slaves, including full voting rights,” said the text of the petition.
The petition further described how the Civil Rights Act, passed in 1964, included protection from voter intimidation and unfair voting requirements, restrictions that, ironically, Cha’s statement seems to support.
“We, the Hong Kong public, will not stand these remarks likening our rights to slavery, nor will we stand the kind of voter disenfranchisement her and her assoicates attempt to perpertrate on the Hong Kong public,” the petition said.
In the meantime, police seem to be gearing up for action.
#Live: Lot’s of Police & Blue Ribbons out tonight. Rumors of a mini clearance operation. Everyone on alert. #OccupyHK pic.twitter.com/kamDGSmzoe
— James Bang (@PRHacks) October 30, 2014
Live: Police are arming themselves. This is the rumored clearance barricade on Argyle. #OccupyHK #UmbrellaMovement pic.twitter.com/fWnudpK22L
— James Bang (@PRHacks) October 30, 2014
Day 32
Wednesday, Oct. 29
A survey taken by Reuters shows that 87% of the protesters are willing to continue Occupy Central for another year. 93% said they would set up new protest sites elsewhere were the police to clear out the current occupation zones.
1945 Umbrella Square Day 32 雨傘廣場第32天 #UmbrellaRevolution #HongKong #OccupyHK #OccupyCentral pic.twitter.com/eMihmPEruL
— HKDemoNow (@hkdemonow) October 29, 2014
James Tien, head of the pro-Beijing Labor Party, has been ousted from his position with the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, the top mainland Chiense advisory body, for comments he made on radio about Hong Kong’s chief executive Leung Chun-ying. He has also resigned from his post as Labor party boss.
“Tien’s expulsion from the advisory body is a sign that Leung still has Beijing’s full support even as his approval rating in Hong Kong plumbs new lows.”
“Tien, a veteran Hong Kong lawmaker, said that he had forgotten about his position as a member of the Chinese advisory body when he publicly criticized Leung.”
To mark one full month of the Umbrella movement, protesters have organized and completed a 102-km (62 mi) run, which follows an umbrella-shaped path through Hong Kong.
Mission accomplished. #UmbrellaUltra pic.twitter.com/I6Fe41r7Oj
— Umbrella Ultra (@UmbrellaUltra) October 29, 2014
The #UmbrellaUltra result pic.twitter.com/R7ps6yuWI1
— Umbrella Ultra (@UmbrellaUltra) October 29, 2014
The @UmbrellaUltra rides into Sham Shui Po as night falls #UmbrellaUltra #UmbrellaRevolution #OccupyHK pic.twitter.com/nG4Dj887kJ
— Lloyd Belcher (@lbelchervisuals) October 29, 2014
Day 31
Tuesday, Oct. 28
One month after police used tear gas against the pro-democracy demonstrators, protesters held a one-and-a-half-minute moment of silence to commemorate.
Participants will stand in silence with their umbrella open for 87 seconds, one for each tear gas canister fired. pic.twitter.com/fXnMG7wHQj
— Michael Wong (@MikeGJW) October 28, 2014
And after that month, the movement is still going strong.
Crowds definitely out in force at #umbrellaplaza. @ypsamgus says it all seems calm #OccupyCentral #UmbrellaRevolution pic.twitter.com/FJShQR8V7F
— Young Post (@youngposthk) October 28, 2014
Heading back out to the mean streets of Mongkok. Didn’t go to big rally because EVERYONE was there, we need people in trenches off-peak too.
— Hong Kong Hermit (@breakandattack) October 28, 2014
Ken Tsang, a protester who was knocked down and beaten by multiple police officers on Oct. 15, has made a statement thanking Hong Kong media for its handling of his case.
Ken Tsang thanks #HK media for professionalism in recording the truth, public for support (pic by Sun Yeung, USP) pic.twitter.com/YeHgvP15T9
— Occupy Central 和平佔中 (@OCLPHK) October 28, 2014
Day 30
Monday, Oct. 27
Counter-protesters have violently assaulted four journalists during a rally. The journalists were from the television station TVB and a Hong Kong radio station. A total of 24 journalists have been attacked since the beginning of the pro-democracy protests this September.
Day 29
Sunday, Oct. 26
A referendum scheduled for today by the student organizations has been canceled on account of inadequate planning and split opinions regarding the details of the vote. Student leaders have apologized for the cancellation.
The total number of protest tents is 1771, according to the Umbrella Movement Tents Population Census.
Saturday, Oct. 25
Anti-Occupy Central Blue Ribbon movement protesters assaulted a Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) journalist as well as three TVB journalist.
RTHK confirms that it will stop covering Blue Ribbon movement events.
The Hong Kong Journalists Association also condemns the attack, calling it “barbaric and unacceptable.”
Day 27
Friday, Oct. 24
Tung Chee-hwa, the first Chief Executive of Hong Kong, tells the protesters to “go home,” and shows his support for incumbent leader CY Leung.
“Captain America,” a popular and enduring face at the Occupy Central Mong Kok site, is finally arrested.
Day 26
Thursday, Oct. 23
After Beijing cautions to foreigners not to “get involved” in the “illegal” pro-democracy protests, Kenny G claims that he doesn’t actually support the students.
Some protesters put a huge yellow banner with the words “I want real universal suffrage” up on Hong Kong’s iconic Lion Rock.
While it was subsequently taken down by the government, it spawned a series of memes on the web, and people started displaying smaller versions of it on their tents, pets, T-shirts, and even their foreheads.
The Hong Kong Federation of Students and the Occupy Central with Love and Peace movement leaders announced that they will be holding an online public referendum to gauge supporters’ response to the Hong Kong government’s proposals.
Day 25
Wednesday, Oct. 22
In the aftermath of the student-government talk, the Hong Kong government announced that it was “disappointed” that the students were unhappy with the government’s offering to submit a report conveying the students’ concerns to Beijing.
On the students’ part, the Hong Kong Federation of Students (HKFS) leaders felt that the government was not doing enough to secure the democratic future of Hong Kong.
American jazz saxophonist Kenny G was spotted walking around the Admiralty area. In response, the Chinese regime reminded foreign governments and individuals not to support Occupy Central.
Hacker group Anonymous announced that they hacked 70 Hong Kong government sites.
Hong Kong netizens have fun Photoshopping a picture of Chinese leader Xi Jinping holding an umbrella, making it appear as though he supports the Umbrella Movement.
Day 24
Tuesday, Oct. 21
The talks between Hong Kong Federation of Students and the Hong Kong government took place between 6 to 8 p.m., Hong Kong time.
The HKFS was represented by Secretary-General Alex Chow, Deputy Secretary-General Lester Shum, General Secretary Eason Chung, and Council Members Nathan Law and Yvonne Leung.
The Hong Kong government was represented by the Task Force on Constitutional Development. Chief Secretary for Administration Carrie Lam, Secretary for Justice Rimsky Yuen, SC, Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Raymond Tam, Director of the Chief Executive’s Office Edward Yau, and the Under Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Lau Kong-wah were present at the talks.
Day 23
Monday, Oct. 20
22:57 HKT [10:57 EDT] Hong Kong’s student organizations will not leave the streets despite a court order. Even if tomorrow’s talks achieve nothing, it will be a stand for democracy, says student leader Alex Chow Yong-kang.
Chow: Even if dialogue achieves little or nothing, at least we will have forced Gov’t to face will of the people, the truth #umhk #occupyHK
— Harold Li (@waphle) October 20, 2014
22:46 HKT [10:46] Student representatives at Admiralty protest site met with “add oil” chant, in anticipation of the scheduled talks with the HK government. “Add oil” is the literal translation of a Chinese expression of encouragement.
the crowd in admiralty chanted “add oil!” to back the 5 student reps ahead of their talk w govt tmw #OccupyHK pic.twitter.com/MbNuxRUa1L
— Jeffie Lam (@jeffielam) October 20, 2014
21:43 HKT [09:43 EDT] All quiet on the Mong Kok front.
Still very light police presence at Argyle St. right now. Lot of police vans north on Nathan Rd for later on though. pic.twitter.com/ocJe2xipe6
— Hong Kong Hermit (@breakandattack) October 20, 2014
19:26 HKT [07:26 EDT] Leung Chun-ying favors the rich. At least he’s honest.
#cyleung says the nominating committee can’t be too representative because that would give the poor too much voice http://t.co/real21vvPp
— Occupy Central 和平佔中 (@OCLPHK) October 20, 2014
02:35 HKT [14:35 EDT Oct 19] An altar dedicated to the Chinese folk hero Guan Yu has appeared at the protest site in Mong Kok.
Oct 20 1am: #Chinese warrior god Guan Kung shows up in #Admiralty #UmbrellaMovement #OccupyCentral #HK #culture #art pic.twitter.com/LEcf7e9jxz
— Miss Vivienne Chow (@VivienneChow) October 19, 2014
Day 22
Sunday, Oct. 19
23:00 HKT [11:00 EDT] “If there isn’t any concrete solution, it will be hard to convince the protesters to pull out,” said Alex Chow Yong-kang, leader of the Hong Kong Federation of Students, in response to the upcoming dialogue with the government, of which Chow will be a participant. Regarding Leung’s comment on Asia TV, Chow said Leung is guilty of dereliction of duty in rejecting the call for universal suffrage. “The Basic Law can be modified, if the government is willing to listen what the people have to say.”
22:50 HKT [10:50 EDT] Hard hats, goggles and masks all around at the barricades in Mong Kok.
It’s hard hats, goggles and masks all round on the barricades. Mongkok is determined to hold protest area. #OccupyHK pic.twitter.com/l1nUUEbtAM
— Hong Kong Hermit (@breakandattack) October 19, 2014
22:12 HKT [10:12 EDT] Protesters address the police with a LEGO mannequin.
Awesome Lego+sign at front line in Mong Kok: “Don’t randomly hit ordinary people with batons” #OccupyHK pic.twitter.com/rXLZF2uBPP
— ant (@antd) October 19, 2014
21:03 HKT [09:03 EDT] Legislators from the pan-democracy camp have just read out a statement at Admiralty calling on the government and others not to interfere with the upcoming dialogue on Oct. 21. The statement calls on the government not to resort to double-handed approach, that is, simultaneous dialogue and police action against protest sites.
20:54 HKT [08:54 EDT] College students from the facebook page Umbrella Tutor are offering free lessons in a diverse subjects, including English, Chinese, history, biology, chemistry, economics, and others.
19:35 HKT [07:35 EDT] The Federation of Students has just issued its positions regarding the upcoming dialogue with the government on Oct. 21.
- Denial that the peaceful talks are to be based on the Aug. 31 National People’s Congress decision on Hong Kong.
- Affirmation of universal suffrage and revoking functional constituency as two of its main objectives.
- Calling on people on Hong Kong to continue occupying different areas of the city.
- Calling on the government not to interfere with protest sites before next Tuesday.
- The scheduled talks with the government won’t necessarily preclude further action by protesters.
19:32 HKT [07:32 EDT] In an interview on the television program Newsline at Asia TV, Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying said that he would listen to what student leaders have to say in the upcoming dialogue next Tuesday. Leung claimed that the movement in Hong Kong has gotten out of control due to foreign interference.
14:33 HKT [02:33 EDT] Selina Chow, chairperson of the pro-Beijing Liberal Party, has announced a fundraising campaign for police at the frontline. When asked by reporters whether the money is for the police officers who have been reassigned due to their violent actions, Chow did not give a direct response, instead saying the money will be used by police officers however they see it fit and that the party will be in touch with frontline officers.
00:52 HKT [12:52 EDT] Situation in Mong Kok has become violent.
Mong kok just turned into a war #occupycentral #UmbrellaRevolution pic.twitter.com/ekiXIkIIIG
— Benjamin Chasteen (@Ben_Chasteen) October 18, 2014
00:18 HKT [12:18 EDT] Police are advancing on Nathan Road, which the protesters had taken the previous day.
Police rushing down Nathan Rd now pic.twitter.com/rmRtkxldWe
— ant (@antd) October 18, 2014
00:10 HKT [12:10 EDT] New clashes on Argyle St. in Mong Kok:
Huge number of cops suddenly out at Argyle St. Things seem to be deteriorating v suddenly and for no reason pic.twitter.com/91UhSjaMHu
— ant (@antd) October 18, 2014
Day Twenty One
Saturday, Oct. 18
6:45 HKT [18:45 EDT] Now that the police have been surrounded on several occasions, protesters have adapted for their own use the “stop charging or we will use force” line commonly seen on the red police banners.
Warnings “Police stop charging you have been surrounded” “put down your shield and surrender” #OccupyHK pic.twitter.com/G62WAsGSVR
— Kris Cheng (@krislc) October 17, 2014
4:47 HKT [16:47 EDT]: Situation in Mong Kok is chaotic again. More and more police are coming to push protesters back. Meanwhile in Admiralty, “after multiple police vehicles arrived, police announced via megaphone that they reinforce because they saw a sudden assembly of protesters. Protesters are now negotiating with the police, offering a fall back for the police withdrawing some officers, in order to ease the tension there.” (/u/dont_come_any_closer)
04:09 HKT [16:09 EDT]Police are now capturing video of individual protesters, hoping to intimidate them.
Police capturing videos of whoever chant “triads” “f you” to them. what for? #OccupyHK pic.twitter.com/LXyRhRtAGp
— Kris Cheng (@krislc) October 17, 2014
02:44 HKT [14:44 EDT]: An estimated 9,000 protesters now occupy Mong Kok, their enthusiasm standing in stark contrast to the exhausted ranks of the police. The “front line” between protesters and police has stabilized on Argyle St. 26 people have been arrested, including foreign correspondent and photographer Paula Bronstein.
02:42 HKT [14:42 EDT]: In the eye of the hurricane: protesters’ tents in Admiralty.
0235 金鐘現場帳幕甚多，氣氛平靜 （無線新聞網上直播截圖） #UmbrellaRevolution #HongKong #OccupyHK #OccupyCentral pic.twitter.com/0dF48Dc8ge
— HKDemoNow (@hkdemonow) October 17, 2014
02:25 HKT [14:25 EDT]: Standoff near the People’s Liberation Army HQ. What could possibly go wrong?
Here is pic of students and police facing off underneath PLA Headquarters in HK pic.twitter.com/GkdLG5VHKh
— Mike Forsythe 傅才德 (@PekingMike) October 17, 2014
02:19 HKT [14:19 EDT]:
Hong Kong protesters sit in the middle of the road as police with shields and batons stand off #occupycentral pic.twitter.com/ffRo4PRmg8
— Benjamin Chasteen (@Ben_Chasteen) October 17, 2014
02:12 HKT [14:12 EDT] The police had a plan:
Police strategy in mongkok is clear now: cops cleared argyle to open road + make reoccupying nathan/argyle difficult. pic.twitter.com/t6ZNkseumI
— Ed Flanagan (@edmundflanagan) October 17, 2014
02:07 HKT [14:06 EDT] Police at Argyle Street are at a numerical disadvantage.
Nathan/Argyle. Police being extremely outnumbered. #OccupyHK pic.twitter.com/tdnDdzWcOY
— Kris Cheng (@krislc) October 17, 2014
02:06 HKT [14:06 EDT] Occupy Central has made a press release calling for a return to dialogue with the Hong Kong government.
01:53 HKT [13:53 EDT] New confrontation begins on Argyle Street.
Police guarding a part of Argyle Street after tripping apart a barrier placed by protesters #occupycentral pic.twitter.com/QEzFCwhpMk
— Benjamin Chasteen (@Ben_Chasteen) October 17, 2014
I am thinking this could be a diversion to get the police on one side. #OccupyCentral
— Benjamin Chasteen (@Ben_Chasteen) October 17, 2014
01:31 HKT [13:31 EDT] Even police hounds listen to the protesters, says report.
Argh… got report that #OccpuyHK #OccupyCentral protestors @ Lung Wo Rd yelled “Sit” to #police hound & it sit… 據報龍和道群眾大叫Sit，警犬真係Sit
— Galileo Cheng (@galileo44) October 17, 2014
01:20 HKT [13:20 EDT] Thousands of protesters at Lung Wo Road, where the police had cleared them them a couple days earlier.
More than 1000 protesters now at Lung Wo Road #Umhk #OccupyHK pic.twitter.com/ijIDkYPRKg
— Global Solidarity HK (@GlobalSolidHK) October 17, 2014
01:15 HKT [13:05 EDT] It’s police vs. protesters in Mong Kok again.
#UmbrellaMovement Mongkok now. Preoccupied. pic.twitter.com/jtdHpyhjln
— Nevin (@GXGarnerings) October 17, 2014
00:54 HKT [12:54 EDT] Perhaps taking action today wasn’t the brightest of plans...
Regarding police retreat here: serious questions should be asked about strategy to clear Mongkok out Friday when student numbers are highest
— Ed Flanagan (@edmundflanagan) October 17, 2014
00:41 HKT [12:41 EDT] The costs of taking Nathan Road:
Protester severely injured by police’s extreme use of violence Credit: inmediahk #occupyhk #umbrellamovement pic.twitter.com/umSKM12lPG
— 學聯 HKFS (@HKFS1958) October 17, 2014
A man collapses after being hit with pepper spray by police during clashes in #HongKong - by @Alex_Ogle @AFP pic.twitter.com/UXlmxu1Rii
— Agnès Bun 黃瑩燕 (@AgnesBun) October 17, 2014
00:40 HKT [12:40 EDT] Police have carried out a tactical retreat. Protesters celebrate their victory.
They’ve done it. Surrounded again, police beat a tactical retreat. Students flood in after pic.twitter.com/NVlfLrrRY1
— Ed Flanagan (@edmundflanagan) October 17, 2014
00:37 HKT [12:37 EDT] Police seem to be getting ready to retreat from Nathan Road northbound.
Amazing. Once again police are forming up as if they aim to leave. Protests may have won a small victory here pic.twitter.com/B9BulK4ei3
— Ed Flanagan (@edmundflanagan) October 17, 2014
00:33 HKT [12:33 EDT] Protesters reinforce barricades.
Protesters on southbound side of Nathan rd taking advantage of lull to reinforce barricades. pic.twitter.com/QrcJVmjFLO
— Ed Flanagan (@edmundflanagan) October 17, 2014
00:28 HKT [12:28 EDT] Police use pepper spray at Nathan Road, which is now fully occupied by protesters
Chaos on both sides of Nathan Rd - pepper spray deployed #OccupyHK pic.twitter.com/4ypZKJACjc
— Tom Grundy (@tomgrundy) October 17, 2014
00:27 HKT [12:27 EDT]Police van attempting exit on Nathan Road southbound blocked by protesters.
Northbound side protester on Nathan road are now rushing over to south side to block police van from leaving. Students banging on police van
— Ed Flanagan (@edmundflanagan) October 17, 2014
00:26 HKT [12:26 EDT] Pro-democracy paper Apple Daily website offline due to cyberattack.
00:25 HKT [12:25 EDT] Police line has collapsed.
警察は前線から撤去し、占拠派が奪回 via @hkdemonow Police completely lost their front line // #UmbrellaRevolution #HongKong pic.twitter.com/Lx5E4mkwcC
— ズッキーニ＠香港 (@Zuki_Zucchini) October 17, 2014
00:25 HKT [12:25 EDT] Growing numbers of protesters threaten to overwhelm police.
A handful of police have formed up around the police van as it tries to inch forward. Riot cops preparing to go over. pic.twitter.com/hcGoJB4geb
— Ed Flanagan (@edmundflanagan) October 17, 2014
00:23 hKT [12:23 EDT] Protesters hold Nathan Road southbound, new confrontation on northbound starting.
A third standoff in the space of 100metres now on Nathan Rd northbound. Southbound, protesters have control. pic.twitter.com/XnxkY2xRso
— Tom Grundy (@tomgrundy) October 17, 2014
00:22 HKT [12:22 EDT] Police break through barricades on southbound road in Mong Kok.
Police grab barricade & push through crowd southbound #OccupyHK pic.twitter.com/3fHoviMYQT
— Tom Grundy (@tomgrundy) October 17, 2014
00:20 HKT [12:20 EDT] Protesters in Mong Kok setting up new barricade complex.
A new barrier already taking shape. Bins, bus stops, this will be a fortress again in an hour. #UmbrellaRevolution pic.twitter.com/FYoTe2YO0R
— Hong Kong Hermit (@breakandattack) October 17, 2014
00:18 HKT [12:18 EDT] Police seem to have lost control.
The police as completely lost control has crowd pushes through two blocks ahead. #UmbrellaRevolution #HongKong pic.twitter.com/CHh4UPO87f
— HKDemoNow (@hkdemonow) October 17, 2014
00:17 HKT [12:17 EDT] Police are retreating from Mong Kok.
Protesters chant ’triads’ at police & jeer as arrests are made on northbound Nathan Rd #OccupyHK
— Tom Grundy (@tomgrundy) October 17, 2014
Day Twenty
Friday, Oct. 17
22:55 HKT [10:55 EDT] The self-study center at the protest site in Admiralty has expanded to accommodate a greater number of students catching up on coursework.
22:45 HKT [10:45 EDT] At Nelson St. in Mong Kok, a number of people have been detained by police. At Dundas St., the police have unfurled a red banner, seemingly in warning, to the protesters.
22:40 HKT [10:40 EDT]Clashes between police and protesters have occurred at Langham Place in Mong Kok; the police have used pepper spray.
22:30 HKT [10:30 EDT] Fire trucks have entered Mong Kok. Protesters have occupied the district’s subway stations.
22:25 HKT [10:25 EDT] There are about 200 protesters at Causeway Bay. The mobile study and art centers have attracted crowds of residents.
22:15 HKT [10:15 EDT] There has been a clash at Dundas St. in Mong Kok, some people were detained. The number of people present is currently unclear.
22:10 HKT [10:10 EDT] In Mong Kok, police have closed off a section of Nathan Road to pedestrians near the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation building.
22:08 HKT [10:08 EDT] In Admiralty, pro-democracy legislator Leung Kwok-hung, also known as “Long Hair,” has said that forty people in mainland China have been detained for supporting the Umbrella Movement. The audience applauded their courage and prayed for their safety.
About 20 protesters sitting down on Nathan Road, refused to leave Mong Kok #OccupyHK #OccupyCentral pic.twitter.com/Wv8lLLnknY
— Fion Li (@fion_li) October 17, 2014
7:40 a.m. HKT [19:40 p.m. EDT]: Live stream reporter James Bang from World Crypto Network has been pushed to the ground by policemen and is now in the hospital. Watch it here:
The corner of Nathan Rd and Argyle St., epicenter of the Mong Kok protests. pic.twitter.com/BVhkOfqyyO
— Jason Chow (@jjasonchow) October 16, 2014
6:53 a.m. HKT [18:53 p.m. EDT]: Current situation in Mong Kok. Police has teared everything down. So signs of clashes.
05: 35 a.m. HKT [17:25 p.m. EDT]: BREAKING NEWS. Police storm protesters in Mong Kok. They are line up and tearing down barricades, situations is chaotic. Watch our the live stream.
4:25 a.m. HKT [16:25 p.m. EDT]: HK Apple Daily live broadcast is now on. Click on our live stream video to see what’s happening in Hong Kong right now.
4:05 a.m. HKT [16:05 p.m. EDT]: SUMMARY. Chief executive Leung Chun-ying offered to engage in talks with student protesters next week. Still occupied places Admiralty, Mong Kok and Causeway Bay are very calm this night without many policemen. Pro-democratic newspapers Apple Daily were successfully published, police were protecting the entrance.
2:50am #Mongkok - many still awake, alert after acts of police brutality ytd. Less police tonight #umbrellarevolution pic.twitter.com/xjlbKiLb1A
— lazyvoice (@lazyvoiced) October 16, 2014
148am #HongKong students work too damn hard! #UmbrellaMovement pic.twitter.com/u7b98T8w5U
— Fab Sabs (@FabsabsPete) October 16, 2014
Day Nineteen
Thursday, Oct. 16
21:30 HKT [09:30 EDT] Civic Party member Ken Tsang, who was injured after being beaten by policemen, attended a rally hosted at the occupy area in Admiralty. Tsang called for protesters not to agitate the police officers at the front line, nor use violence to fight back, as doing so would undermine the Occupy Central movement.
“Don’t take revenge on police. If we use violence against violence, our movement is over.” http://t.co/50CbLIelEF pic.twitter.com/M7P3tC3POQ
— Jason Li (@jasonli) October 16, 2014
16:08 HKT [04:08 EDT]: Senior superintendent of Police Public Relations Branch Kong Man-keung stated that the seven police officers who beat protesters during the clearing out of Lung Wo Road have been suspended.
14:52 HKT [02:52 EDT]: Chief executive Leung Chun-ying said that the clearing out of roads and protesters will not impact the talks with students and vice versa.
CY Leung: Government to resume talks with student group, restoring order a priority #hongkong #umbrellarevolution pic.twitter.com/C2AibRf94o“
— #OpHK #OpHongkong (@rendipurba313) October 16, 2014
14:35 HKT [02:25 EDT]: At the press conference, Leung Chun-ying emphasized that Beijing’s decision regarding mainland nomination of election candidates can’t be withdrawn or modified. Leung also reaffirmed the claim that civil nomination is not in line with the Basic Law.
14:25 HKT [02:25 EDT]: Chief executive Leung Chun-ying has appeared at a press conference. He praised the police for their work, and offered to engage in talks with student protesters. The initial plan is to have a university principal to host the talks which will be hosted as early as next week, Leung said.
10:40 a.m. HKT [22:40EDT]: According to article published by Reuters, China blocks BBC website as Hong Kong tensions rise. The BBC said in a statement late on Wednesday. It’s English-language website was inaccessible in China on Thursday morning.
10:35 HKT [22:35 EDT] Over 80 anchors, reporters, editors, and other staff at pro-government Hong Kong media TVB have jointly signed a letter showing their disagreement and regret for the management decision to edit out of a report content concerncing protester Ken Tsang, who was beaten by police.
10:38 a.m. HKT [22:38 p.m. EDT]: Admiralty, or tent city, looks peaceful this morning.
#香港 #香港デモ #雨傘革命 RT @AgnesBun All quiet in Admiralty this morning. #HongKong #OccupyCentral pic.twitter.com/2NUEFgfTBY
— 葵東（香港加油！） (@aoi_azuma) October 16, 2014
6: 41 a.m. HKT [18:41 p.m. EDT]: Protesters have agreed with police to open up both lanes on westbound Lung Wo Road.
Protesters have agreed with police to open up both lanes on westbound Lung Wo Road. #UmbrellaMovement pic.twitter.com/Z5EoaNVpNB
— Michael Wong (@MikeGJW) October 15, 2014
5: 18 a.m. HKT [17:18 p.m. EDT]: Police violence in clearing a main road has triggered an angry response by activists and politicians. Read more here: Police Violence Brings Condemnation in Hong Kong (+Photogallery).
03:50 a.m. HKT [15:50 p.m. EDT]: After clashes at Lung Wo Road, police have finally opened the road. Passing cars keep honking to support protesters.
Useless for police keeping lung Wo open. Started a car protest as repeat cars repeatedly travel road honking & slowing down. #umhk
— Bastien 偉忠 Wai-Chung (@BWaiC) October 15, 2014
Here’s another view of the protesters and policemen at the Lung Wo Road underpass, 3:17am. #OccupyHK pic.twitter.com/xZlv7C4pcf
— Natasha Khan (@natashakhanhk) October 15, 2014
02:35 a.m. HKT [14:25 p.m. EDT]: Police used pepper spray after red flag went up at Lung Wo Road. Groups of riot police left the scene on Lung Wo Road. Destination unknown. According to people on the ground, press was sprayed as well.
@ypleonl: Major scuffles above tunnel on Lung Wo Rd. Pepper spray fired. #OccupyCentral #Umbrellarevolution pic.twitter.com/2uNsRKrObF
— Young Post (@youngposthk) October 15, 2014
02:24 a.m. HKT [14:24 p.m. EDT]: Current situation at Lung Wo Road after clashes.
Panorama shot of the current standoff on the East bound side of Lung Wo road. #UmbrellaMovement pic.twitter.com/rHiU3mMlEX
— Harbour Times (@harbourtimes) October 15, 2014
01:38 a.m. HKT [1:38 p.m. EDT]:
A few officers pass through crowd with shields, protesters follow them hands up yelling “what are you doing here?!” pic.twitter.com/4rJJORHA6a
— Harbour Times (@harbourtimes) October 15, 2014
01: 28 a.m. HKT [13:28 p.m. EDT]: Police entered protesters’ side of the pavement on Lung Wo Rd for unknown reasons.
Police retreat as the crowd cheers #Occupycentral #UmbrellaMovement https://t.co/yqu8OjDHon vía @vine
— Jorge G. Correa (@Correarules) October 15, 2014
00:50 a.m. HKT [12:50 p.m. EDT] Pro-democracy media Apple Daily’s website has been down due to cyber attack. Apple Daily’s App and phone edition website still work.
around 00:00 a.m. HKT [12 p.m. EDT]: Watch the livestream from Hong Kong streets as students and other Hong Kongers gathered in front of the Police Headquarters after video of police beating protester went viral.
00:08 HKT [12:08 EDT]The Hong Kong Greenpeace Consortium, a pro-government group, has called for citizens to protest in front of the Apple Daily building. The Consortium offers free transport and accommodation.
It’s the fifth night of the counter-protesters’ encirclement of Apple Daily building, intended interrupting the newspaper distribution.
Over a hundred Apple Daily employees have been standing outside of the building, which is surrounded by counter-protesters. Apple Daily has been playing audio recordings in Mandarin, Cantonese, and Fujianese to remind the counter-protesters that their behavior is unlawful.
Day 18
Wednesday, Oct. 15
Hundreds gathered outside Hong Kong police headquarters to protest over alleged police assault of Civic Party member Ken Tsang Kin-chiu and demand that the police apologize for their other instances of brutality.
Day 17
Thursday, Oct. 14
Violent police action in the wee hours of the morning at Lung Wo Road and other key areas of Queensway see protesters and reporters injured.
Day 16
Wednesday, Oct. 13
Leading Chinese Sinologist Yu Ying-shih is censored by the Chinese government.
Police moved in to remove barricades on Monday, and Leung announced that the Queensway thoroughfare will be cleared “soon.”
Protesters responded by erecting makeshift barricades using bamboo, scrap, and cable ties.
Day 15
Tuesday, Oct. 12
Students release open letter to Xi asking him to remove Leung.
Anonymous successfully leaks tens of thousands of Chinese government files.
Day 14
Monday, Oct. 11
Many Hong Kong media outlets continue to follow the CCP line on the Umbrella Movement in condemning the pro-democracy protest, praising violent pro-Beijing elements, and choosing to highlight brief instances of police clashes with non-violent protesters instead of the largely peaceful demonstrations.
Day 13
Friday Oct. 10
Protesters return to the streets as talks between the students and government break down. Students call for CY Leung’s dismissal.
Also, the CY Leung corruption scandal may not be the real reason why the Hong Kong government pulled out of talks with the protesters.
Meanwhile, Anonymous reveals plans to leak 51 Chinese government databases.
Day 12
Thursday, Oct. 9
Leung is mired in a corruption scandal involving Australian company UGL. The CCP could be behind the Leung scandal leak.
The Hong Kong Shield, a group of over 50 Hong Kong artists, musicians, film makers and other well-known celebrities like Cantopop artist Denise Ho, is formed in support of Occupy Central.
Day 11
Wednesday, Oct. 8
More and more protesters set up tents, particularly at the protest site at Connaught Road.
Students agree to go ahead with talks with the government on Friday.
Meanwhile, Leung has approval by the pro-Jiang Zemin faction to go ahead with violence, while the CCP is divided on Hong Kong due to in-fighting.
Day 10
Tuesday, Oct. 7
The Hong Kong Youth Care Association (HKYCA) and other pro-Beijing groups and individuals have been outed as the source of anti-Occupy Central violence.
Day 9
Monday, Oct. 6
Hacker group Anonymous plans to attack Chinese government websites and leak files in support of the pro-democracy movement.
Students finally agree to chat with the government, but may not end the demonstrations.
Meanwhile, more evidence tying violence to Beijing have surfaced.
Day 8
Sunday, Oct. 5
Protesters are divided on whether to carry on occupying Hong Kong Central or give up some ground in exchange for talks with the government.
The student demonstrators are determined to stay, however, and have even erected a statue, “Umbrella Man,” to represent their movement. Parallels between Tienanmen Square’s “Goddess of Democracy” and “Umbrella Man” are drawn.
Joshua Wong insists that the protesters only want democracy, and do not seek a revolution.
Meanwhile, a number of Chinese-language papers are opposed to the Hong Kong pro-democracy movement, and Hong Kong police have been linked with the anti-Occupy Central movement.
Day 7
Saturday, Oct. 4
Tens of thousands of Hong Kongers held a massive pro-democracy rally at Connaught Road Central.
Day 6
Friday, Oct. 3
The Hong Kong Federation of Students announce that they are canceling talks with the government in response to violent police action the day before.
Pro-Beijing thugs were discovered to be behind an assault of student demonstrators in Mong Kok.
Day 5
Thursday, Oct. 2
Chief Executive Leung arranges for the students to meet with his second-in-command, chief secretary Carrie Lam. Nothing comes of the meeting.
Protesters report that CCP triad gang members and blue ribbon-wearing pro-Beijing supporters tried to drive them off the streets. Instead of successfully getting the yellow ribbon-wearing pro-democracy protesters away from Hong Kong central, the pro-Beijing elements’ actions merely got more people to join the democracy activists.
Meanwhile, police were spotted stocking up on riot gear.
Hong Kong celebrities Chow Yun-Fat, Andy Lau, Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Anthony Wong, and Nick Cheung public state their support for the Umbrella Movement. Nick Cheung even briefly appeared in central Hong Kong and appealed for an end to violent suppression of the students and for the Hong Kong government to hear the people out.
Day 4
Wednesday, Oct. 1
On China’s national day, students say that they will occupy important government buildings unless Chief Executive Leung meets with them to discuss democratic reform in Hong Kong.
Demonstrations in support of the Umbrella Movement were held in Taiwan, New York City and Washington D.C.
The songs “Boundless Sea and Sky,“ (a popular song by rock 90s rock band Beyond about not giving up faith) ”Who Haven’t Spoke Out Yet?“ (the Cantonese version of ”Do You Hear the People Sing“ from the Broadway musical Les Miserables) and ”Hold Up Your Umbrellas“ (an original composition by Hong Kong singers and composers) become the most popular anthems of Hong Kong Occupy Central.
Day 3
Tuesday, Sept. 30
Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying chose not to meet with students by their Tuesday midnight deadline, and rejected their demands of universal suffrage for the 2017 Chief Executive elections.
Day 2
Monday, Sept. 29
The United Nations, United States, and Canada announced support for Hong Kongers’ democratic aspirations and call for universal suffrage.
The CCP also blocked popular photo app Instagram on the mainland and censored all images of the pro-democracy protests.
Day 1
Sunday, Sept. 28
Hong Kong riot police were mobilized, and they launched tear gas into large crowds. The police later denied allegations that they were using rubber bullets to disperse the protesters.
At least one policeman was seen washing tear gas out of the eyes of one protester, while another showed remorse over his actions and quit his job.
Because protesters used their umbrellas to ward off the tear gas and block the scorching sun, their pro-democracy movement was coined the “Umbrella Movement.”
A picture of a student holding up an umbrella while tear gas swirls around him has been compared with the iconic “Tank Man” of the 1989 Tiananmen protests.
For a timeline summarizing important developments in the Hong Kong pro-democracy movement, check out our key events page.
