Migrants to Canada support Occupy plan
Hongkongers in Toronto say they are prepared to join civil disobedience movement after seeing democracy in action in their adopted home
Hong Kong migrants who have lived in Canada for as long as 25 years may return to take part in the pro-democracy Occupy Central movement if the planned blockade of the city's business heart goes ahead next year.
This follows the civil-disobedience campaign's first overseas "deliberation day" in Toronto last month at which about 60 former Hong Kong residents shared their views on the city's fight for universal suffrage. Campaign organisers are also seeking support from overseas Hongkongers in other cities, including London.
"I will come back [for Occupy Central]," said Annie Fong, who moved to Canada a quarter of a century ago. "It is not for me but for Hong Kong - a place for which I have profound feelings."
The housewife-turned-activist added: "Having enjoyed the precious Canadian democratic system for so many years, I think I should support [Hong Kong's] universal suffrage fight."
A support group has been set up by Hong Kong migrants in Toronto to back the civil disobedience plan, which Occupy Central organisers say they will enact if the government fails to come up with acceptable electoral reforms, and members hope to gather overseas Hongkongers to press for true universal suffrage.
The possibility that candidates in the first chief executive election under universal suffrage in 2017 could be screened to ensure they are acceptable to Beijing has caught the attention of the overseas campaigners.