Demonstrators in the anti-capitalism 'Occupy Central' campaign bedded down for a third night underneath HSBC's Central headquarters last night, but experts say whether the campaign will take root in the city depends on the protesters' next move.
About 30 people slept, read, chatted and played instruments on couches and on the ground in the public space as the campaign entered the first working day since it started on Saturday. Some campaigners went to work and returned to support their colleagues during the lunch hour and after work, while others took leave from school or work.
Office workers passing through the area gave them curious glances and took pictures. Many said they did not find the group an obstruction; others felt they were just having fun and were not serious in their action.
Leung Wing-lai, a programme host with Citizens' Radio, said the site had become more homely after the demonstrators had spent the weekend there. 'We don't encourage our participants to always skip school and work, so some of them come back in the evening ... it's really like a home to us now.'
The demonstrators were planning to bring in stoves and make simple breakfasts for passers-by.
'When you're at home, you don't buy ready-made food all the time. That's why we're trying to cook here,' said Iris Yau Ka-yue, a 19-year-old secondary school student who was skipping classes to be there.