Demonstrators in Hong Kong did not give up the fight for democracy. They managed to take back a number of streets in the district of Mong Kok. The area had been previously cleared by the authorities. More than 9,000 demonstrators managed to stand up to the police officers in charge of keeping the riot in control. Pro-democracy protesters have been occupying various parts of Hong Kong for weeks. They do not agree with Beijing’s intention of choosing the possible candidates for the next Hong Kong elections, which will be held in 2017.
On Friday evening, police officers made 26 arrests for assault and other similar offenses. A total of fifteen police officers were injured during the clashes between authorities and demonstrators. Several people attending the protests were also knocked down by police officers. Thousands of protesters, holding open umbrellas occupied Mong Kok last night. Their main purpose was to regain access to the previously occupied areas and streets. In order to do so, they had to push past the police lines. Police officers used pepper spray and batons in an attempt to stop the protesters. However, their efforts were in vain. Authorities were outnumbered by the protesters. By Saturday morning, they had managed to re-occupy the area south of a major intersection. Traffic from both directions was disturbed.
The group of protesters issued a statement in which they say that the government’s attempt to clear the streets only “triggered a new wave of occupations and worsened relations between police and citizens”. The Mong Kok area, in Kowloon is an appendix of the initial protest site, around the government offices in Admiralty on Hong Kong Island. Smaller groups of protesters are also gathering at the original meeting spot, around the government offices. However, there are no news about conflict between authorities and protesters in that area of the city.
On Friday, Alex Chow, member of the Federation of Students said there has been an agreement between the government and his group of protesters to meet next Tuesday. The discussion will be aired live on radio. Hong Kong leader Leung had stated on Thursday that the government was willing to discuss with the protesters. However, Beijing was not willing to re-think its decision to select the candidates for the 2017 elections. The last discussions which were scheduled got cancelled by Chief Secretary Carrie Lam. She said it would be impossible to hold a constructive dialogue, as long as the protesters were still out on the streets. Because of the severe beatings inflicted upon protesters, seven police officers had been suspended.