The Star Ferry clock tower in Central has been there since I was a child, so I can vaguely appreciate some of the sentiments of those who protested against its demolition.
In Hong Kong, anybody who has any strong feelings about anything under the sun is entitled to express his or her dissent - in whatever way - as long as it is within the law.
Even when the expression is slightly beyond the legal boundary, we tend to tolerate it. So I have no issue to pick with the protesters.
But I am puzzled on one point: how does the public expect the government to react? Is it supposed to back down from a project, even after public consultations have generated support for it, because some protesters don't like it?
Or are officials supposed to tell themselves: 'the protesters are silent now, but who knows, they might mount a last-minute protest. Um ... better not go ahead.'
Further, if five people protest against a project, should officials put a stop to it? Should they negotiate a settlement to the entire satisfaction of the opponents?