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Hong Kong protests: Leaders threaten to call off talks | Hong Kong protests: Leaders threaten to call off talks |
(35 minutes later) | |
Leaders of pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong have threatened to call off talks with the government after demonstrators were involved in scuffles with angry opponents. | Leaders of pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong have threatened to call off talks with the government after demonstrators were involved in scuffles with angry opponents. |
The government must prevent "organised attacks on supporters of the Occupy movement", they said. | The government must prevent "organised attacks on supporters of the Occupy movement", they said. |
The protesters, angry at China's plan to vet election candidates, have been occupying parts of the city. | The protesters, angry at China's plan to vet election candidates, have been occupying parts of the city. |
They had earlier accepted an offer of talks from Hong Kong's chief executive. | They had earlier accepted an offer of talks from Hong Kong's chief executive. |
In the commercial district of Mong Kok, on the Kowloon peninsula, opponents of the demonstrators dismantled tents. | In the commercial district of Mong Kok, on the Kowloon peninsula, opponents of the demonstrators dismantled tents. |
Police linked arms to try to separate the opposing groups. | Police linked arms to try to separate the opposing groups. |
Later, more pro-democracy activists flooded the area and now vastly outnumber their opponents, says the BBC's Martin Patience in Mong Kok. | Later, more pro-democracy activists flooded the area and now vastly outnumber their opponents, says the BBC's Martin Patience in Mong Kok. |
They began chanting: "Go back to the mainland." | |
'Just a game' | |
Many local residents have been angered by the disruption caused by the protests, but activists say the opposition to them is being coordinated by the authorities. | Many local residents have been angered by the disruption caused by the protests, but activists say the opposition to them is being coordinated by the authorities. |
"I don't support Occupy Central. We have to work and make money. Occupy is just a game," said a construction worker who gave his name as Mr Lee, quoted by AFP news agency. | |
"Give us Mong Kok back, we Hong Kongers need to eat!" another said. | |
Similar scuffles took place in Causeway Bay on Hong Kong Island, where residents tried to remove barricades put up by pro-democracy protesters. | Similar scuffles took place in Causeway Bay on Hong Kong Island, where residents tried to remove barricades put up by pro-democracy protesters. |
The three main protest groups issued a statement blaming the authorities for the violence. | |
"If the government does not immediately prevent the organised attacks on supporters of the Occupy movement, the students will call off dialogue on political reform with the government," it said. | |
Government offices in the main protest-hit area have been closed, with the authorities urging staff to work from home because roads were blocked. | Government offices in the main protest-hit area have been closed, with the authorities urging staff to work from home because roads were blocked. |
At the heart of the row is how Hong Kong elects its next leader. In August, Beijing imposed tight rules on nominations for candidates wanting to stand for election. | |
The protesters say this move means that the polls will fall short of the free elections they are seeking. | |
Several days into their week-long demonstrations, the protesters added the demand that Chief Executive CY Leung step down. | Several days into their week-long demonstrations, the protesters added the demand that Chief Executive CY Leung step down. |
Mr Leung refused late on Thursday but offered talks with his deputy, which the activists accepted. | Mr Leung refused late on Thursday but offered talks with his deputy, which the activists accepted. |
The central government in Beijing has thrown its full support behind Mr Leung, calling the protests illegal and "doomed to fail". | The central government in Beijing has thrown its full support behind Mr Leung, calling the protests illegal and "doomed to fail". |
Hong Kong democracy timeline | |
Q&A: Hong Kong's democracy controversy | |
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