HONG KONG, Oct. 3 (UPI) -- As Hong Kong's pro-democracy demonstrators struggle to maintain their week-long protest, they were met Friday with a counter-protest.
Opponents of the pro-democracy movement removed barricades and tents erected by the protesters over the past week, some of whom have been camped on the streets and outside government buildings.
It is unclear whether the counter-protest was sanctioned by Beijing or was an organic response to the pro-democracy demonstration.
Protesters began their demonstration on Sept. 26, calling for the resignation of Hong Kong's chief executive, Leung Chun-ying, and for elections to determine his successor.
Although the "Umbrella Revolution" surged in its first days, the number of protesters has since dwindled due to heavy rain, Leung's refusal to resign, and an offer by the chief executive to meet with demonstrators.
The People's Daily newspaper, considered a mouthpiece of the Chinese government, published a front-page editorial on Friday reiterating its support for Leung and asserting that the pro-democracy movement was "doomed to failure."
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Counter-protest begins in Hong Kong as pro-democracy demonstration dwindles