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Hong Kong police clear pro-democracy protesters | Hong Kong police clear pro-democracy protesters |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Hong Kong police have cleared the main government compound of pro-democracy demonstrators who had occupied the area on Friday. | |
They arrested more than 60 people after a night of scuffles, with police using pepper spray to restore order. Nearly 30 people were hurt. | |
Reports suggest protesters remain in the area surrounding the compound. | Reports suggest protesters remain in the area surrounding the compound. |
Students and activists oppose Beijing's decision to rule out fully democratic elections in Hong Kong in 2017. | Students and activists oppose Beijing's decision to rule out fully democratic elections in Hong Kong in 2017. |
The ruling has prompted a protest movement in the autonomous territory, spearheaded by a group called Occupy Central. | The ruling has prompted a protest movement in the autonomous territory, spearheaded by a group called Occupy Central. |
In statement issued on Saturday, Occupy Central alleged that pepper spray was used without warning, and condemned the use of "unnecessary force" against "peaceful protesters". | In statement issued on Saturday, Occupy Central alleged that pepper spray was used without warning, and condemned the use of "unnecessary force" against "peaceful protesters". |
"We strongly condemn such action which not only violates the police code of conduct but also tramples on people's freedom of expression," the group said. | "We strongly condemn such action which not only violates the police code of conduct but also tramples on people's freedom of expression," the group said. |
Student leader held | Student leader held |
The last of the protesters within the compound were removed on Saturday without resisting arrest, the South China Morning Post reported. | |
The students chanted the slogan: "No fear for civil disobedience" as they were led away, the Hong Kong-based newspaper said. | The students chanted the slogan: "No fear for civil disobedience" as they were led away, the Hong Kong-based newspaper said. |
The break-in occurred just before 22:30 local time on Friday (15:30 BST), as protesters scaled security fences to get inside. | The break-in occurred just before 22:30 local time on Friday (15:30 BST), as protesters scaled security fences to get inside. |
The protesters smashed barriers and scaled fences to occupy a forecourt outside government headquarters. | The protesters smashed barriers and scaled fences to occupy a forecourt outside government headquarters. |
But police managed to restore a cordon around the building's forecourt by late on Friday night before removing the final 50 on Saturday. | But police managed to restore a cordon around the building's forecourt by late on Friday night before removing the final 50 on Saturday. |
Police said they had arrested 61 people on suspicion of forcible entry into government premises and unlawful assembly. | |
A 27-year-old man was also arrested for possession of an offensive weapon. | |
The South China Morning Post describes the forecourt as a popular protest spot, to which access has been restricted since July. | The South China Morning Post describes the forecourt as a popular protest spot, to which access has been restricted since July. |
School and university students have joined the protests in recent days, and one prominent student activist leader, Joshua Wong, was among those arrested on Friday night. | School and university students have joined the protests in recent days, and one prominent student activist leader, Joshua Wong, was among those arrested on Friday night. |
Mr Wong, 17, was dragged away in handcuffs, a student leader from Hong Kong University said. | Mr Wong, 17, was dragged away in handcuffs, a student leader from Hong Kong University said. |
On Thursday, about 2,000 university students held a night-time protest at the house of the Hong Kong leader, Chief Executive CY Leung. | On Thursday, about 2,000 university students held a night-time protest at the house of the Hong Kong leader, Chief Executive CY Leung. |
The students' boycott is seen as a prelude to a larger demonstration planned for 1 October, organised Occupy Central, which has vowed to block the financial district. | The students' boycott is seen as a prelude to a larger demonstration planned for 1 October, organised Occupy Central, which has vowed to block the financial district. |
Hong Kong operates under a "one country, two systems" arrangement with Beijing, which means citizens are allowed the right to protest. | Hong Kong operates under a "one country, two systems" arrangement with Beijing, which means citizens are allowed the right to protest. |
In August, Beijing decided that candidates for the 2017 chief executive election would first have to be approved by a nominating committee. Activists have argued that this does not amount to true democracy. | In August, Beijing decided that candidates for the 2017 chief executive election would first have to be approved by a nominating committee. Activists have argued that this does not amount to true democracy. |
Hong Kong democracy timeline | Hong Kong democracy timeline |
Q&A: Hong Kong's democracy controversy | Q&A: Hong Kong's democracy controversy |
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