Two Years On from Occupy

A large yellow reminder of two years ago for the fight for universal suffrage

Today marks the second anniversary of the Occupy protests that spontaneously broke out at Admiralty, when people were trying to get the activists released who were surrounded by police in Civic Square.

The milestone was marked by a six-metre long yellow banner "I want true universal suffrage" placed on Devil's Peak in Lei Yue Mun by the League of Social Democrats, that was taken down about 90 minutes later.

People gathered at Admiralty tonight to mark the anniversary

And then in the evening at 5.58pm people gathered at Tim Mei Avenue in Admiralty and observed three minutes of silence, the time when the police began spraying tear gas into the crowd.

I was there that afternoon, and told YTSL to come with me. She had just gotten off the plane from Japan and didn't understand what all the fuss was about.

But after we got a snack and I checked my Twitter feed to find out tear gas had been unleashed and we rushed back to see what was going on. We saw a surreal sight of people occupying the Connaught Road overpass and Queensway and refusing to leave. And there were people getting giant barrels of water ready in case the police would fire more tear gas.

We knew the roads would be blocked for a while at least and I remember getting to my great aunt's place in Tokwawan via the Star Ferry and then a bus.

Two years ago this was the initial surreal scene in Admiralty

On the news later that night we saw that Mongkok, Tsim Sha Tsui and Causeway Bay had also been occupied. It was simultaneously shocking and thrilling to hear that ordinary people had taken control of the area -- when was the last time something like this had happened?

They were brave but also determined to stand their ground which made me so proud of them. They were tired of being pushed around by Beijing and the Hong Kong government wasn't representing their interests.

The last straw was the white paper released in August that reiterated there would be no direct elections of the chief executive in 2017. So when would we ever get universal suffrage that was promised to us? They had to stand up for themselves and they did -- for 79 days.

I miss being able to walk along Connaught Road Central and there was such a community spirit there, people were very friendly and eco-conscious, everyone had the same mindset. It was a calm, but also passionate place, especially when there were gatherings to hear speeches.

Eventually evenings would look like this, crowded but friendly

The sad thing is that Occupy will probably never happen again.

But it has spawned a new generation of politically active kids, a few of them even elected into the Legislative Council! Who would have thought that would be possible! Pretty amazing.

So there is hope, but how do we proceed from here? What is the legacy of Occupy and what does it mean to us?

Thanks for the memories that are still vivid two years later. We will never forget that day.

Car-Free Day Hong Kong Style

Trams are still going by while booths occupy both sides of the roads

I was looking forward to checking out NGO Clean Air Network's event called "Very DVRC" or "Very Des Voeux Road Central", with the promises of removing cars from a 200-metre stretch of the busy thoroughfare from 10am to 4pm.

The idea came about 16 years ago from the Institute of Planners, who had suggested the entire area from Western Market to Pedder Street be completely car free. But in execution, Clean Air Network had to severely scale back and try it out with a small area, from Western Market to Wing On department store.

Some guys having a mini soccer match on a side street

I had visions of perhaps Occupy 2.0, large free spaces to roam around on the streets. However when I got there, people couldn't really walk on the roads because the middle of the street was occupied by trams that were still moving along the tracks, though at much lower speeds for safety reasons, and they were cordoned off.

The sides of the roads that vehicles would have used were occupied by booths, some 40 of them, ranging from making arts and crafts to fitness clubs, making mini Chinese flower banners, planters out of plastic bottles and even a mini soccer pitch.

There were musicians performing songs and one spot had colourful beanbags to sit on, and even a group that advocates giving hugs for 21 seconds.

I talked to a young enthusiastic woman called Winnie who said there was scientific research that said if people hug for 20 seconds then it helps release hormones to reduce stress. She also hoped the exercise would help people have more physical encounters rather than on social media. The extra second? Just to make sure your embrace definitely long enough.

The roads were carefully cordoned off for safety reasons

Former lawmaker Paul Zimmerman was also there and was pleased to see the event a reality and watched how people reacted to the carnival-like atmosphere. It's too bad he didn't get voted in, but he is someone who is always advocating for Hong Kong to be a more people-oriented city, to make it more accessible by walking rather than driving.

He feels that when a city is more walkable, people have more chances of bumping into people they know, and that in turn creates more dialogue and debate, and hopefully in the end makes people happier.

But there seems to be more cars on the road -- is it because there is a larger group of wealthier people who can afford them? Is it because public transport like the MTR are frustrating commuters so much that they don't have the patience to deal with it? Or is it because public transport doesn't adequately service the areas they live in?

Signs like this reminded people to watch for cars...

These questions need to be answered -- not with more roads, which is what the government likes to do. The current big infrastructure project is the Central to Wan Chai bypass that is taking years to build and will even cut into Victoria Park, something that the public didn't find out until it was too late to stop it.

Today's experiment was interesting, but perhaps it was too crowded a space, or the area wasn't quite right. Or maybe I'm just nostalgic about the occupation of Admiralty almost exactly two years ago when thousands of people converged on the bypass and created an ad hoc friendly community.

Are those days gone forever?

Experiencing a Car-Free Zone

How would you like part of Des Voeux Road Central to be a car-free zone?

We're looking forward to September 25, when part of Des Voeux Road Central will be blocked off from vehicular traffic. Perhaps it will get people nostalgic again when the Occupy protests blocked Admiralty for 79 days and spontaneously created a warm, selfless community.

This event though is not a protest, but part of the Clean Air Network's plan to showcase the vision of urban planners on how to convert the busy thoroughfare into a pedestrian-friendly public space without crippling traffic or causing major inconvenience to residents.

The organizers also hope it will persuade Hong Kong people into supporting their ultimate goal of permanently rezoning the main road into a car-free zone.

This is what Clean Air Network envisions for the district

On that Sunday from 10am to 4pm, Des Voeux Road will be blocked between Morrison Street and Man Wa Lane. The area will feature booths, stalls, and even a mini football pitch, and another area will be for artists to perform or exhibit their work.

Trams that go along the line will still be allowed to go through, but at slower speeds, and there will be some 400 volunteers acting as marshalls to ensure pedestrian safety.

Clean Air Network didn't have an easy time persuading the Transport Department into granting the group a temporary traffic arrangement permit. And then the group had to deal with the police and Fire Services Department, who were concerned about potential blockage of emergency vehicular access to the area.

The NGO also had to talk to other stakeholders, like the public transport companies, as about 20 bus routes would be affected.

Winnie Tse of the Clean Air Network hopes the plan won't just be for weekends, when traffic is 40 percent lower, but become a permanent one.

"We want to change people's mindset and we know this is not going to be easy," she said. "A lot of roadside vendors we talked to agreed pollution was serious in the area, but they held a general perception that this is part of life."

Professor Ng Mee-kam, director of Chinese University's Urban Studies Programme, is supportive of the plan.

"I believe people are smart enough to adapt -- remember the Occupy protests?" she asked.

"I'm for non-motorized transport and walking experience. Pedestrianizing the area will help people interact with each other on the streets, gaining inspiration and boosting our social capital," Ng said.

Sounds like a plan!

Last Look at Admiralty

Day 73 at Admiralty, two days before there are plans to clear the area

A court injunction has been approved for Admiralty to be cleared on Thursday morning.

Lawyer Paul Tse Wai-chun, representing Kwoon Chung Bus Holdings subsidiary All China Express, made the announcement this afternoon.

Many visitors wandered around for one last look of the site

He did not say how many police officers would be involved, only saying he estimated it would take two hours to clear Admiralty.

That seems like an underestimate, but we shall see...

They may also clear Causeway Bay on the same day, though no court injunction was posted in that protest site.

In addition Tse asked that those who wished to keep their belongings should remove them before Thursday morning, and so they had time to retrieve them.

A lit-up umbrella

Tonight I made a last visit to the area that has been occupied for 73 days and the mood was sombre but there was still a fighting spirit among those who spoke to crowds of people scattered through the area.

Some speakers advised that on Thursday they be peaceful and not provoke the police, that there will be another time to fight again for universal suffrage. Others remarked how amazed they were that they had been protesting since September 28, that it will be something they will not forget.

Meanwhile many visitors were trying to get the last of their souvenirs -- there was a massive line for a leather bracelet signifying the Umbrella Movement, while others like myself were taking photos of anything we felt we had missed.

Since the clashes with the police on November 30-December 1, some areas were barricaded like one side of the escalator closest to Admiralty Centre, and then the escalators near the government building were completely blocked off.

Admittedly the site was looking tatty, some garbage on the ground that had been trampled on and no one had picked up, and tents looking worn. Some tents had disappeared, particularly those on the overpass, and at the entrance to the Legislative Council.

An elaborately decorated tent complete with HK skyline!

But a lot of the artwork was still there in various forms. Tonight I saw a lit up outline of an umbrella, a glittering beaded yellow umbrella next to the cardboard cutout of Chinese President Xi Jinping, and a tent decorated with drawings of people holding umbrellas with "I want universal suffrage" and below Hong Kong's skyline. Impressive.

A keyboardist was playing ditties on his electric keyboard, and a guy gave a middle-aged man a haircut while an elderly woman looked on.

People were still gathered in groups to chat, some political, others not. Some emerged from tents, while others got ready for the night. Police officers patrolled the area in pairs, mostly from the bridge between the government building and Admiralty Centre.

The past 73 days have been a very exciting though at times violent ride no one expected.

The escalator barricaded on one side

I remember standing outside Admiralty Centre on the Sunday afternoon with hundreds of other people, demanding to be allowed to go over to Civic Square to see the students who had stormed the area.

Many of the people were armed with goggles and umbrellas and they sure came in handy when the police fired tear gas at them in the early evening.

No one will forget those images, the crowds trying to shield themselves with umbrellas and fleeing from the smoke. But most impressive was seeing even more people come out into the streets to vent their anger at the police.

And then it was the stoney silence of the government that revealed its ineptness, particularly that of Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying who seemed to hide and give video messages denouncing the occupation as being illegal.

He further shot himself in the foot by admitting universal suffrage would mean the poor would have greater say in Hong Kong's agenda which added more oil to the flames of discontent.

Lennon Wall still has many visitors, not many new messages

Meanwhile the explosion of art, from satire to cartoons was unprecedented. The umbrella was quickly adopted as the symbol of the movement and the creativity was amazing to see. Everyone contributed with messages on the "Lennon Wall", to posters and pictures, sketches... the people's gallery right there for anyone to take part in.

It will be strange to see the area after it's cleared. It was nice to be able to walk around with no traffic and enjoy the space and the atmosphere. How are we all going to move on from this is anyone's guess and a lot of healing will be needed on both sides.

Nevertheless, what has happened these 73 days have been an awakening for many in Hong Kong who have had these pent-up frustrations for years and needed to express themselves.

A reminder of the climbers and their banner at Lion Rock!

We may not get more engagement with the government, but at least we now know what Hong Kong people are capable of and most importantly, they are proud to be Hong Kong Chinese.

How Beijing will deal with the city post Occupy will be intriguing -- it's territory senior officials have never tread before...

Trying to Force the Issue

Federation of Students' Alex Chow says they are mulling their next steps

The student leaders are trying very hard to resolve the impasse between them and the government, but no one seems to be listening/seems to want to work at it/seems to care.

Earlier the students talked to the pan-Democrats about resigning en masse to trigger a re-election as a kind of referendum, but it seems like that proposal went no where.

And there doesn't seem to be much appetite on either side for another round of talks.

There was also a letter sent to Premier Li Keqiang to meet with the students. Probably not something he would probably entertain...

Now the students are mulling going to Beijing next week and creating attention to their cause during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.

Alex Chow Yong-kang, secretary general of the Hong Kong Federation of Students said the idea was suggested by Occupy protesters, but he admitted they still had to sort out a back up plan in case they were not allowed into the Chinese capital.

"If the representation can enter Beijing successfully, of course we would want to have a dialogue with officials on universal suffrage," he said. "If Beijing officials value the opinion of Hong Kong people, I believe they will talk to students."

We're afraid the buck stops here.

Who in Beijing will actually speak to the students?

In state media they have already been branded as outlaws doing illegal things, so which official would even want to be associated with them in any way?

The students really need a Zhao Ziyang character, but these days with Chinese President Xi Jinping consolidating his power and having little patience for negotiation, particularly with teenagers, who would even dare to take up their request?

Their chances of even being allowed to enter the mainland are probably very slim -- their names are probably on a blacklist already. The students are foolish to think they can very easily enter China and do what they want like they have in Hong Kong.

China is another beast altogether.

We appreciate the students trying very hard to resolve the situation, but this is beyond their control.

They are right to seek the cooperation of the pan-Democrats to push through politically, but there's a lot of disappointment this group of politicians hasn't done nearly enough to take advantage of the momentum to push forward in a multi-pronged approach.

It feels like the Umbrella Movement is losing its steam, with less coverage in the media and fewer people coming out to the protest sites.

We're just concerned the students need to really calculate their moves because a publicity stunt in Beijing isn't going to be very productive -- in fact if they do get in and do something, there is a chance we may never hear from them again...

Keeping the Passion Alive

Looking at the Admiralty protest site towards Central

This evening I took a friend around who just came back after a month-long trip and completely missed the entire first four weeks of Occupy. We walked off our dinner by walking from Central to Admiralty and so she was able to see the protest site from the flyover and then get into the thick of things.

The protest encapsulated in a cartoon

She had read up on what was going on while she was away, but hadn't actually experienced it which adds another dimension to understanding and absorbing what is going on. My friend was very impressed by how creative people were, and the willingness of people to camp out for so long.

We walked up and down the steps along Lennon Wall and she contributed a message, whereas I think mine from four weeks ago was washed out by the rain! Since then they have put plastic covers over the ones on the outer edge.

Then we saw a group of foreigners standing by the gate where Civic Square is and a Chinese woman speaking English explained to them the chronology of events. Has this now officially become a guided tourist site?

Near the Legislative Council entrance is a shell-shaped area, a public space, and tonight on the cement wall they were projecting short films people had made about the Umbrella Movement. They were quite funny and satirical.

Colourful origami mobile with an umbrella!

In one a guy pretends to be a reporter checking out the Umbrella Movement scene. He points to big yellow umbrellas and wonders if these are the missiles the police were warning the public about...

Another featured a slide show of the supposed bromance between Federation of Students' Alex Chow and Lester Shum and singing in the background is Denise Ho with her song called Louie & Lawrence about two guys in love... quite amusing really, when juxtaposed with the two student leaders' pictures of them giving speeches, arms around each others' shoulders...

Here are the lyrics:

Louie and Lawrence were both good-looking boys

Louie was the popular one,
while Lawrence only loved reading
They were, however, inseparable
always wearing those innocent white shirts
This romance began in proximity

yet they did not dare let their guards down

Outdoor cinema right by the Legislative Council

To be as friends, there's more of less love involved
But to become brothers, and to love as such,
Bystanders would certainly not accept them

If they were to hug, even by accident,

one of them would surely shy away
However enjoyable that might be,
they're afraid to admit
Even if they avoided making eye contact
Deep down they'd know love was involved

A boy and a boy, how could they be that close?

Louie couldn't deal with it,
but he did promise her Lawrence was just as infatuated
Until she finally took a leap

Images of Alex Chow (left) and Lester Shum (right)

Their eyes met as she took off her blouse
It was only then did Louie realize

he had never thought of his close friend as a girl

To be as friends, there's more or less love involved

But to become brothers, and to love as such,
Bystanders will certainly not accept them

Why does true love always end on a sad note?
He is truly surprised, as he thinks about the past
of how they used to shop, study and stare at the sea

They're practically lovers, as the cards finally did reveal

Why be afraid, if you feel that this is love?

Why calculate who he is and wonder if it adds up in the end?

Which bystander will accept love as such?

Perfectly compatible but against all odds, just let it go
To be in denial and not come out
The world will then never change
As there will only be more tragedies as such
Or do you prefer to love like the Butterfly Lovers?

Keeping Up Morale

A Lego dramatization of the Umbrella Movement on show at Admiralty

A referendum was supposed to take place tonight at Admiralty to gage what protesters thought should be the next plan of action.

But it was called off hours before it was due to start, mainly because protesters had different views about how to move forward and felt the poll would not achieve much.

Have your portrait taken at the site with an "umbrella"

"The public may feel that there are problems with the movement's organization and leadership, and we admit that... I promise that in the future, we will have sufficient notification and discussion with protesters, before making a major, formal decision, said Occupy co-founder Benny Tai Yiu-ting.

Federation of Students' Alex Chow Yong-kang said some protesters felt there was no need for a vote because them occupying the streets proved they supported the issues in the referendum.

It's an embarrassing gaffe for the Occupy/Umbrella Movement, but tonight there was a strong turnout in Admiralty.

There was a mini concert held, a guy with a guitar sang a few songs followed by speeches by others to fire up the crowd, marking Day 29.

A yellow umbrella mobile hanging by the escalator

The newest thing now is to take a portrait at the protest site and with the camera shutter open for a long exposure, a guy with a yellow light "draws" between two people to make it look like they are holding an umbrella.

We also saw a young woman using a whiteboard marker drawing on the hood of her convertible -- how did she drive it in there? She wrote "I love students" complete with a drawing of an umbrella and lion with the banner "I want true democracy", referring to the Lion Rock banner stunt. She invited two kids to write "add oil" in Chinese.

There wasn't any hard feelings about not having the vote -- it was probably for the best.

However this weekend Robert Chow Yung's group was out in force, collecting signatures to support the police, an indirect pro-Beijing reference. They were in every neighbourhood including mine soliciting signatures, though I heard even children's autographs were accepted, which may explain why they had some 300,000 on the first day.

A woman draws on the hood of her car

This numbers game just creates a greater divide between people instead of trying to inch closer to some kind of consensus...

But it got really ugly in Tsim Sha Tsui last night, when some anti-Occupy supporters had scuffled with journalists, when a RTHK reporter was dragged to the ground, and a TVB reporter and two TVB cameramen were injured.

And people try to claim Umbrella Movement protesters are inciting violence?

The Occupy Saga Continues

The Federation of Students who debated government officials last night

Today everyone was still talking about the debate between the students and government officials last night. Many remarked how good the students were. Can we put this into perspective? What were you doing when you were 18 years old? Since when have you seen teenagers debate adults more than twice their age with intelligence and passion?

It dawned on me this evening that no one knew the debate would happen after 25 days of occupying the three protest sites. Who knew the protests would last this long? Everyday has brought with it a roller coaster ride of drama and we haven't had time to even catch our breath.

Today there were more developments. It took more than 24 hours for locals to pick up on Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying's comments to foreign media that if candidates were nominated by the public then the poor would dominate the electoral process. He claimed that meant more than half the population made less than $1,800 (HK$13,964) per month would dominate the political agenda...

A truck collects stuff used to create barricades in Mongkok

Despite the delay, poverty groups quickly organized and about 100 people marched to Government House where Leung resides to protest his remarks. They didn't even apply for a protest march license, but the police let them make their way there anyway. One police officer even helped push a wheelchair up the hill.

And then this afternoon the Taxi Drivers and Operators Association tried to execute its court injunction in Mongkok, reading out the legal letter and then began to take down the barricades and removing the materials with a large truck with a crane.

However, as protesters tried to stop them, scuffles ensued, and police had to get in between the two parties and hold each other back. Eventually the taxi group retreated and said it would have a rethink about how it would take back the street legally.

But this evening things got ugly when someone threw three glass bottles of paint thinner at protesters standing near the supply station, and then tried to set fire to the supplies but was stopped in time. Then there were four bags of a mixture of faeces and oil thrown at protesters from a nearby building. Will police investigate?

One of the many civil sservant ID cards photographed

Other drama includes the revelation that there is a Facebook page that was only set up on Monday for civil servants who support the Umbrella Movement. Called "Civil Servants Support Umbrella", there were about 1,500 signatures to counter another group called Government Employees Association and Hong Kong Civil Servants General Union who denounced the movement.

There are many photographs on the Facebook page showing people's staff cards showing titles, but blocking out the names. They come from various departments including the judiciary and police...

But finally -- the biggest news of all was that jazz saxophonist Kenny G is in Hong Kong and he was photographed visiting the protest site at Admiralty. On his Twitter account there was a picture of him with the words: "In Hong Kong at the sight [sic] of the demonstration. I wish everyone a peaceful and positive conclusion to this situation".

Immediately there was speculation -- as Kenny G is a very popular musician in China -- would be allowed back into the mainland to perform.

Kenny G gives the protest his blessing

This afternoon Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying was asked to comment on his appearance at Admiralty.

"I think Kenny G's music is popular in China, though regarding the illegal protest in hong Kong, the Chinese government has a clear position. We think that is an illegal campaign," Hua said.

"We support the government of Hong Kong to handle it in accordance with the law to maintain stability in Hong Kong. Thus we hope all foreign countries and individuals could be discreet in words and deeds and not support the illegal protest in any forms," she said.

Maybe Kenny G was the "foreign force" Chief Executive Leung was referring to a few days ago?

The Students vs The Government

Some 2,000 people gathered in Admiralty to watch the live debates on TV

The highly-anticipated debate between the students and government officials was finally held after 24 days of occupying the streets.

Everyone knew there would be no consensus, but wanted to see how it would all play out.

I missed the first hour, commuting from work to Admiralty, where it was jam-packed with people, mostly standing and listening intently.

The students got advice from former Secretary of Justice Wong Yan-lung as well as Democratic Party stalwart Martin Lee Chu-ming, Dr Joseph Chan Cho-wai, former head of University of Hong Kong's department of politics, and Occupy Central co-founder and associate professor of sociology Chan Kin-man.

Federation of Students' Alex Chow said after the debates they prepared all last night with some 20 lawyers and academics helping them.

As a result the students were very well prepped and they showed it, particularly Yvonne Leung, who cites the constitution that laws can be changed, countering Secretary of Justice Rimsky Yuen Kwok-keung's claims.

Students on one side... who on the other?

"According to the constitution of the People's Republic of China, the National People's Congress possesses the power to overthrow the decision," she said. Cheers in the crowd.

The law student's other points were that the government has a responsibility to initiate electoral reform decision instead of anticipating the central government's decision, and that the government has given up its right to fight Beijing for democracy.

Some tweeted she would make an excellent constitutional lawyer.

All the students spoke, but on the government's side, only Chief Secretary Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, Yuen, and Raymond Tam, Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs; Edward Yau, Director of the Chief Executive's Office and Lau Kong-wah, Under Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs did not say a word in the two-hour debate.

Immediately people online created caricatures of Lau hiding in a trash bin in the room...

There were a lot of comments of why the officials were addressing the students by their English names and not by their last names as stipulated in the rules. Many found it condescending, perhaps a tactic to keep the students in their place.

But the students were undeterred and kept voicing their grievances to the government, that people are unhappy with the way things are now which is why they have protested and slept on the streets for 24 days now.

They also attacked Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying's remarks yesterday to foreign media, like The New York Times and Wall Street Journal that if one man, one vote was given in Hong Kong, then the poor would be the dominant voice.

Many were outraged to read his comments, which will get the poverty advocates out on the streets as well. To say that Leung is only interested in courting specific interest groups again shows his contempt for the majority of the population and particularly those who are barely eking out a living.

The officials tried to reiterate their position, and that the students were being naive, that they didn't know the politics behind trying to get electoral reform passed. Lam also threw in the anti-Occupy poll that had over 1 million signatures, to which the crowd groaned. Really? Not all those signatures were verified and many were not even Hong Kong residents!

She also claimed that Mongkok was dangerous which is why the occupation should end. But some people said afterwards that Lam should go there herself to see how peaceful the protesters have been, particularly these past two days.

In the end Lam tried to soothe the students, and said she hoped there would be more dialogue, that 2017 was only the first step towards electoral reform. But will the students buy it?

A lot of people left Admiralty as soon as the protests were over, but the solidarity was there. Will the crowds continue to hang out in the protest sites remain to be seen, but the students definitely made Hong Kong people proud -- they were speaking out their frustrations to the government directly, who should have been listening all along.

A Legal End to Protests?

One of many protesters camped out in front of the Legislative Council last night

It took three third parties to get the High Court to issue court injunctions to clear the protest sites at both Mongkok and Admiralty tonight.

In Mongkok there were two plaintiffs, the Taxi Association and Taxi Drivers and Operators Association who asked to clear Nathan Roads, near to and between Argyle and Dundas streets, and Chiu Luen Public Light Bus Company who wanted Argyle Street between Tung Choi Street and Portland Street to resume traffic.

While accepting the plaintiffs' arguments that the occupied streets caused a nuisance and were an "inconvenience", the judge also noted Mongkok was the site of violent clashes with police, and that prolonged occupation could lead to even more violence.

Not long after the High Court issued another court injunction saying protesters in Admiralty must clear fire exits, emergency vehicle exits and the entrance to the car park at Citic Tower, at the intersection of Tim Mei Avenue and Lung Wui Road.

A string of yellow umbrellas on the walkway

The applicant for the injunction, Golden Investment Limited, claimed protests were "severely affecting the operations of commercial and retail business within the property", and putting tenants at risk.

Both court injunctions are effective immediately, as police could evict protesters at any moment, but they aren't leaving anytime soon.

People Power lawmaker Albert Chan Wai-yip said he was talking to legal experts about appealing the decisions, though he warned that from now on there was a risk in staying on the occupied roads, as contempt of court could lead to a custodial sentence.

Scholarism founder Joshua Wong Chi-fung says it's up to protesters to decide if they wanted to stay or not, and those who remain should be aware of the legal consequences.

But everyone seems to be waiting to see what happens at tomorrow's talks before deciding what to do next.

However Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying and the Hong Kong police have decided to vilify the protesters before the dialogue.

Yesterday Leung was interviewed by ATV and claimed that "external forces from different countries from different parts of the world" had taken part in the Occupy Movement.

"This is not entirely a domestic movement and it is getting out of hand," he said on ATV's Newsline.

Can Hong Kong still retain its unique identity within China?

Leung did not clarify exactly who, and the US Consulate today denied any part in the protests.

Meanwhile the police said parents who brought young children to the protests were doing something "extremely irresponsible and dangerous".

"As some protesters act more and more radical, anyone bringing young children to high-risk areas may put their safety at risk in case of confrontation. The parents or adults concerned may have breached the laws of Hong Kong," the statement said.

Police said they would take "appropriate action to protect children from unnecessary harm", without elaborating on what exactly they would do.

Parents would be silly to bring their children to Mongkok these days, but Admiralty? We saw many young kids last night, even newborns. Their parents obviously wanted them to see what was going on even if they were too young to comprehend.

The shrillness of the authorities' voices are so reminiscent of Beijing. The extreme language they use and the vagueness makes it all the more... pathetic.

Except for the tensions in Mongkok, who really believes their protectionist language that borders on paranoia?

Yet another sign of Hong Kong fast becoming like another Chinese city...

The Final Showdown?

A decent turnout at Admiralty tonight, determined to protest peacefully

Overnight there were violent clashes in Mongkok with police taking away the protesters' supplies and trying to reclaim Nathan and Argyle roads.

Several people were hit by batons and pepper spray but again like before, the police were outnumbered and had to retreat.

Parents were applauded for their support of the movement

Many report it was the police who provoked the violence, not the protesters...

Today things were calm in Mongkok, but tonight may be a different story.

This evening YTSL and I again got some dinner and brought it to the flyover from Admiralty to Central. We chose to sit near the Central Government Offices and there were only a handful of officers behind the barricades, casually looking out for trouble.

But behind them were more and more police vans -- well over two dozen -- parked on the road. There were periodic streams of officers coming into the offices, and then coming out later, some with helmets, others with plastic bags. Two carried a large gray box, and another carried banners used for police warnings.

We periodically checked on them and saw they were departing as they came, and guessed they were going to Mongkok...

A sea of tents parked right at the entrance of Legco

Tomorrow is the start of the party plenum tomorrow in Beijing, and perhaps there was hope the streets would be cleared by then, but it doesn't look like it. Mongkok will definitely be hard for the police to take back with the triad undertones there.

Tonight Admiralty was very calm and about 2,000 people, either die-hards or passing by. The student leaders came to speak and stressed this was a peaceful protest, they were the ones who weren't violent, but the police. This got cheers from the crowd.

Another admitted he didn't know what the government was going to say on Tuesday during the televised talks. They are probably trying to figure that out now themselves...

A speaker who was an adult, praised the parents who have supported the students for the past 22 days. There were lots of applause. Not only did they cook dinner for their children when they came back to eat and rest, but also made soup for them too! As he was speaking we could see two mothers, one pumping both arms in the air. Obviously he was speaking to them and many others in the crowd.

"Society's Library" with many books for people to borrow

We wandered to the entrance of the Legislative Council, an area I hadn't been to before, and I was surprised to see so many tents right at the entrance where the driveway is, as on the grassy areas. There was also a mini library for people to borrow books and of course many creative signs.

One read: "People driven by dignity will always stay longer than those driven by money". Well said!

We also spotted Totoro with a yellow ribbon pinned to his chest and holding a yellow umbrella...

Some say the students should have claimed their victory already and let life go on, while others believe they should stay there until the end.

If they do the former, they will have lost their bargaining chips. This is why they are occupying the streets. Who has been making all the missteps so far? The government.

Totoro also holds a yellow umbrella...

Blame it for being completely caught off guard by people's anger and frustration that has been simmering for years.

Hong Kong is very dysfunctional, catering to the rich to make themselves even richer, while the rest of us eke out a living. What kind of future is that for the majority of the population?

This is why we need accountability, why we need democracy.

But for now there are worries of what tonight will bring...

Establishing Dialogue At Last

Sketcher-Kee founder Kay Cheung's drawing of Mongkok early in the protests

Is there finally some progress?

After the violent clashes in Mongkok last night that saw police using pepper spray and batons on protesters, the Federation of Students called for talks with Chief Secretary Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor.

It will be held on Tuesday at the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine in Wong Chuk Hang and moderated by pro-Beijing Lingnan University president Professor Leonard Cheng Kwok-hon.

Each side will have five representatives and the dialogue will be televised. Wonder if it will be a situation of who blinks first. While the Hong Kong government has made a series of missteps dealing with this now three-week-old occupation of streets in the city, it will be interesting to see what, if anything comes out of the talks.

Police Commissioner Andy Tsang Wai-hung

Will Lam reiterate the Basic Law again and lecture that there is no room for negotiation about civic nomination for the next chief executive? And will the students be persuasive enough to make Lam realize they are serious about their intentions and not a bunch of hooligans Police Commissioner Andy Tsang Wai-hung is trying to make them out to be?

Today almost three weeks later he finally made a statement angrily condemning the protesters, which just inflames the situation.

"Police strongly condemn those who participated in the unlawful assembly, charged police cordons and illegally occupied major thoroughfares in Mongkok earlier this morning and last night. Such behaviours are neither peaceful nor non-violent," he said.

"The police have been extremely tolerant of the unlawful acts of the demonstrators in the past two to three weeks. We did this in the hope that they can calm down and express their views in an otherwise peaceful, rational and lawful manner. Unfortunately these protesters choose to carry on with their unlawful acts... which are even more radical and violent.

What the protesters think about the Hong Kong government...

"To these protesters, you may think that your illegal acts have prevented the police in going about our duties, disrupted our deployments and even forced us to retreat. Superficially that may be the case. But let me tell you this: these illegal acts are undermining the rule of law, undermining [what] Hong Kong has always been relying on to succeed," Tsang continued.

"If, from now on, the police fail to uphold law effectively, who is there to benefit? And what is there to gain?" he said, then turned and walked away without taking questions from the media.

Reporters probably wanted to ask him, if the police are so tolerant, then why did seven of them beat up Ken Tsang who was already detained? Why were police dogs used on Lung Wo Road last night? And does he not see it is the police that have provoked the protesters to be defensive? Who are the ones with more weapons?

Yes the students and protesters are occupying the streets, but that's because the government refuses to have a dialogue with them.

It's pretty simple really. And they should not be talked down to. They are the future leaders of Hong Kong.

Continuing to Fight Their Ground

The crowd singing and lighting up their phones tonight in Admiralty

Actions speak louder than words.

Yesterday Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying said he was open to dialogue with the students, but also clearing the streets. And he (or rather the Hong Kong Police) did that early this morning in Mongkok.

They swooped in at around 5am and again systematically cleared tents and barricades to get the streets ready for the morning rush hour. However, protesters refused to leave and occupied part of one street.

"Hui Sir" with his famous line "I will now recap in English"

More people came by later and tonight there are clashes with police who are using pepper spray and batons to push back protesters away from Nathan and Argyle roads that they reoccupied, by constantly dropping and picking up coins on the roads.

This clearly shows Leung is not bargaining in good faith -- he has scheduled to meet with the students on Tuesday, perhaps his deadline to clear the roads by then so that the students will have no bargaining chips left.

And this is why Joshua Wong Chi-fung is calling on protesters in Admiralty to go to Mongkok to maintain their ground. It really is a battle for territory now.

Breaking news -- the protesters outnumbered the police and have retreated for now...

A straight-forward message in baby tiles...

I didn't go to Mongkok but stayed in Admiralty, where there were probably 2,000 people including Central who were there to show support.

Students were in tents lit with desk lamps where they did their homework, though how do you concentrate when people are giving speeches? There was even a sign that read "We are not a tourist site", as a hint not to take pictures of them.

We still saw a lot of artistic creativity pouring out, from urban sketching to fantastic caricatures of Leung, and even a painting of Chief Superintendent of Police Public Relations Branch Hui Chun-tak.

Broken umbrellas create a canopy

He has been the face of the Hong Kong Police since day one, giving daily afternoon briefings to the media. And locals have made Hui, or "Hui Sir" or "Mr Hui" a celebrity online, creating spoof videos of him or rap songs using his usual line, "I will now recap in English".

Occupying the roads has been an amazing experience. We literally sat on the flyover and had our dinner, chatting. Many others were gathered like us too, having conversations and not always checking their phones every other minute. More people are seen reading too, which is not what you'd see much in the city.

Over a year ago everyone was gaga over a large, inflated yellow duck. Now they are fighting for democracy.

Here's a heartwarming video to remind us all what we're fighting for:

Another Dark Day

The scene around 6.30pm on Harcourt Road with more people streaming in

This morning I was out of the office and by the time I came back at lunchtime, my colleagues were excitedly telling me the story of a guy who was arrested by the police and seven of them allegedly dragged him to a dark alley and started kicking and punching him. This was all recorded on video and has gone viral.

On the TV I saw scenes of the man, now identified as Ken Tsang, a social worker and member of the Civic Party, and of the nominating committee for the chief executive representing the welfare sector, sitting on a stretcher being wheeled out of an ambulance and into Ruttonjee Hospital. He may have aggravated the police by pouring liquid on them, but is there a need for a group of officers to beat someone up who is defenseless?

One side street still blocked with protesters, police watch

Like the pepper spray teargas over two weeks ago, this alleged beating has further eroded people's respect for the Hong Kong Police. They seem to be under orders to use excessive force without regard for what the consequences will be. No wonder protesters are now calling for the resignation of Police Commissioner Andy Tsang Wai-hung.

Meanwhile Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying has cancelled his much-anticipated Q & A tomorrow, with his spokesperson citing the recent conflicts police had with protesters, and how protesters were called to be near the Legislative Council during that time. Some speculate it's because Leung needs to give Beijing more time to figure out how he would answer all these questions...

Then there is the added fiasco of his receiving HK$50 million from an Australian engineering firm, and now news that he asked for another HK$37 million as part of the same of his company...

Hundreds of tents are near the government offices at Tamar

Internationally what is being done about the situation? While China insists other countries not meddle in its internal affairs -- a favourite line -- the Democratic Party is taking the issue to the attention of the UN Human Rights' committee meeting next week in Geneva.

They will explain why Beijing's decision on Hong Kong election reform fails to comply with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. But will anything be done to alleviate the situation?

Around 6.30pm I wandered into the protest area on Harcourt Road. There weren't as many people as before, though there are reports that after I left, the crowds swelled to about 2,000 people.

There were young children around 5 or 6 years old doing their homework, people listening to speeches, but much fewer people on the flyover towards Central.

Batman to save the Umbrella Movement?

At the end of the barricades by the Hong Kong Club, a middle-aged man gave a speech while another man jumped in to add his views. Where in Hong Kong do people have such open discourse on politics? And with complete strangers?

The situation is fluid and who knows what will happen tonight. We can only hope Ken Tsang's alleged beating is the first and last violent incident for the Umbrella Revolution.