Student leader warns of civil disobedience if 'referendum' ignored

A student leader warned yesterday that at least 1,000 people could "occupy" public buildings or roads in the city centre if officials refuse to give a positive response to Occupy Central's unofficial "referendum" on June 20-22.

Federation of Students' secretary general Alex Chow Yong-kang also said that there is an "80 to 90 per cent possibility" that acts of civil disobedience could take place on or before the annual July 1 march, which organisers expect will attract at least 100,000 people.

Occupy Central threatens to mobilise 10,000 people to block roads in the financial district if the government does not deliver on a reform package that will give Hongkongers a genuine choice of chief executive candidates in 2017.

The campaign is planning a citywide poll on June 20-22 for voters to choose from three reform proposals, as well as to endorse whether lawmakers should vote down a reform package that cannot "allow genuine choices by electors".

While Occupy's organisers have said they will not take action before the government unveils its proposal by the end of the year, Chow told the South China Morning Post that students are unlikely to wait that long.

"Hongkongers will show their stance on June 22. If the government tramples on public opinion or simply ignores it … [It means] that there is no way for public voices to enter the establishment and push for reforms," Chow said. "Civil disobedience is then the only way to tell the government that they are wrong."