Most Hong Kong people have grown weary of pro-democracy protests that have sparked clashes with police and disrupted the city for almost two months, and want the government to take action to end them, a poll showed.
About 68 percent of 513 respondents said the government should clear the protesters immediately, according to a survey conducted by the University of Hong Kong Nov. 17-18.
Public support for the demonstrations, which at their peak saw tens of thousands of people in the streets, is waning after crowds dwindled, attempts to negotiate with the government failed and the movements leaders failed to agree on strategy. The protests, the most disruptive since China resumed sovereignty over Hong Kong in 1997, were sparked by Beijings decision to screen candidates through a committee for the citys leadership election in 2017.
Hong Kongs Autonomy
Hong Kong police will help clear protest sites in the Mong Kok district as soon as preparations are complete, Police Chief Superintendent Hui Chun-tak said at a press briefing yesterday.
Police will take resolute action against anyone interfering with bailiffs, and will not tolerate any violence, Hui said. Mong Kok was the scene of some of the fiercest clashes during the protests for free elections.
A small group of protesters smashed through a glass door of the Legislative Council building in the Admiralty district early early yesterday, using metal barricades and concrete blocks. Police used pepper spray to repel other people who charged at them. Protest leaders and pro-democracy lawmakers condemned the break-in.
The clash is another sign the movement is splintering, with pro-democracy lawmakers and student leaders unable to restrain the demonstrators.
The use of violence is definitely against the umbrella movements emphasis as that of using peaceful, non-violent means to fight for full democracy, Alan Leong, leader of the pro-democracy Civic Party, said yesterday in a briefing with other legislators. It seriously undermines the movement.
Umbrella movement refers to protesters use of umbrellas initially as shields against pepper spray. The demonstrations, in their eighth week, are the biggest upheaval since China resumed its sovereignty over Hong Kong in 1997.
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Most Hong Kong People Want Democracy Protests to End, Poll Shows