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Alex Chow, a leader from the Hong Kong Federation of Students, said further protests would follow as part of a renewed push for greater democratic rights. This is, for sure, definitely not the end of the movement, he said. This mornings act is only part of the movement.

Throughout the day police gradually squeezed the life out of the camp, pushing in from its west and east entrances and destroying the tent community as they progressed.

By 3pm they had reached Lennon Wall, the iconic multicoloured staircase mural composed of post-it notes left by supporters from around the world. An hour later, police had advanced into the camps heart an area called Umbrella Square where the protests began late September after clashes between police and protesters and where protest leaders have given nightly addresses.

Workers dismantle barricades built by pro-democracy demonstrators in the Admiralty district, Hong Kong (GETTY)

There were tense scenes as police and hundreds of protesters faced off on a side-street leading into the camp.

We are not seeing the end but the beginning, said Leung Kwok-hung, a pro-democracy lawmaker better known by the nickname Long Hair, as riot police, some carrying chainsaws, turned the once vibrant tent community into a debris-strewn wasteland. I dont feel sad. I feel there is hope in the struggle.

Two hours later, the activist was dragged away by police, shouting: "We will be back. Democracy will win.

Across the camp, tearful protesters looked on helplessly as their temporary homes were torn down and scooped up by cranes that tossed them into a fleet of open-backed lorries.

I cried so much this morning, said Kitty Woo, 44, who had been camped out since the protests began in September. Weve built a village community here and it is very sad to see it go.

It is my birthday today but it is also the saddest birthday in my life, said Benjamin Ng, a 44-year-old church worker.

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