Occupy Central founders vow to keep fighting for democracy in Hong Kong
In wake of protests, three leaders insist battle for democracy is far from over and say they will urge lawmakers to block 2017 proposals
Occupy Central founders yesterday vowed to keep fighting for a democratic Hong Kong - starting by pushing lawmakers to veto the government's political reform proposal next year.
A week after the mass street protests ended, the three founders appeared on a radio programme and also said they would help hopefuls in next year's district council elections.
"Although the occupation [of roads] has ended, Occupy Central has not finished its job," co-founder Dr Chan Kin-man said.
"We will have to make sure lawmakers veto the government proposal" for reforms in the 2017 chief executive election Chan said. A second round of public consultation on the reforms is expected to begin early next month.
A finalised proposal - which is expected to reflect Beijing's restrictive framework, virtually barring pro-democrats from running for the city's top job - is expected to face a Legislative Council vote in the middle of next year.
Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying has indicated that the government would try to lobby the support of several pan-democratic legislators to get the necessary two-thirds majority to pass the proposal.
Post-Occupy, Chan said he planned to take on the role of "facilitator" among civil groups to push for universal suffrage, while co-founder Benny Tai Yiu-ting said he would continue his academic work and contribute to the cause through writing and education. Tai is an associate professor of law at the University of Hong Kong.
Reverend Chu Yiu-ming, a 70-year-old Baptist minister and activist, said he found himself "not having the strength" to stay on the front line after Occupy but would assist in the district council elections by providing a network and advice to candidates.
That election is seen as a defining test of public opinion on various political parties.
Chan noted that several volunteers in the pro-democracy movement were interested in running, with some targeting uncontested districts or looking to challenge incumbents from the pro-establishment camp.
Chan urged political parties to attract more young people. "There is a huge gap between the pro-democracy parties and the civil society. The parties must work hard to bridge the gap," he said.
Meanwhile, addressing the possibility of the Occupy leaders facing prosecution after turning themselves in to police last month, Tai said they may admit to the charge of organising an unauthorised assembly, as well as taking part in it.
But they would not admit to "inciting" people to take part in the protests, Tai said.
He said there were about 20 cases against him pending at the Small Claims Tribunal filed by people who accused him of disrupting their businesses among other allegations.
The compensation requested amounts to several hundred thousand dollars.
Police said this week that close to 1,000 people had been arrested at sites in Admiralty, Mong Kok and Causeway Bay since the Occupy Central protests began on September 28.
