Protesters have been heard loud and clear; now it's time for dialogue

The diversity of Hong Kong society means that political, religious and social leaders rarely speak with a single voice. Pro-democracy demonstrations led by students now in a second week have thankfully changed that, prompting our most prominent citizens to call for the protests to end and negotiations with the government to get swiftly under way. Citing concerns for safety and disruption to daily life, their exhortations are timely and welcome. If our city is to move confidently forward, their advice has to be heeded.

Patience with the protest tactic of blocking main roads in our busiest districts has worn thin among many residents. The chaos in Mong Kok last week showed how deep the anger runs; shop owners, commuters and businesspeople want to get on with their lives and continuing disruptions could easily lead to worse unrest. Retired chief justices, former chief executive Tung Chee-hwa, the heads of our top universities, leaders of the pan-democrat movement and other political groups, prominent business professionals and staunch backers of the protesters all made plain in separate statements that demonstrators should now step back and move to the next phase of their struggle. They were speaking not out of self-interest, but with the good of our city at heart.

As they point out, the students have had their voices heard and listened to. By capturing the attention of the international media, their cause has garnered a global following and foreign governments are monitoring events. Continuing the sit-ins does not improve the chances of goals being attained, but will instead tarnish achievements through negative impact on the economy, education, business and jobs. Organisers of the demonstrations have all to gain and nothing to lose by telling supporters to leave the streets and go home.

That will not be a sign of defeat, but a signal of strength. Negotiations with authorities are the only productive way forward and that is already tentatively under way through the Federation of Students. Although not representative of all protesters, the organisation is a good starting point from which dialogue can be broadened. A willingness to listen to reason has also been shown by protesters in allowing limited access to government headquarters in Admiralty so that civil servants can return to work. That has to be extended to all other parts of the complex. Such understanding and cooperation, not civil disobedience, will help the push for democratic ideals.