Protesters must clear the roads, or be cleared by force
Rick Tang says protesters' conduct has been largely exemplary but their demands remain unrealistic. They should leave now - or be made to leave - so we can begin to build a solid democratic system within the Basic Law
The young people who have been occupying the main arteries of Hong Kong have acted in a responsible manner. Most of them exercise restraint. They keep the occupied areas clean. They remain calm. But they have overstayed their welcome. They must now clear the roads, or be cleared by force.
The police also have exercised the utmost restraint. They display first-class discipline. They plead with the protesters patiently again and again to clear certain areas. I dare say no other country has a police force which displays such self-control and chooses reconciliation over force. Hong Kong should be very proud of our police force.
Yes, tear gas canisters were fired over the protesters. Eyewitnesses have different accounts of what happened. Some say the police fired the canisters without warning, or that even with warning, they used excessive force. Others say the protesters charged at the police, who then used pepper spray to ward them off, but to no avail, leading to a decision to use the tear gas.
Regardless of what really happened, both the protesters and the police have exercised restraint thereafter. Hong Kong should be proud of both groups.
Regrettably, the local media displayed only images of the firing of canisters but not what happened before. Hong Kong looked like a war zone.
The leaders of this unlawful assembly must be held accountable for the chaos, loss of income, inconvenience and reputational damage suffered by the Hong Kong people.