Occupy Central leaders shave heads to show ‘determination for democracy’

In a gesture they said showed their determination to fight for true democracy, the Occupy Central movement's three founders joined 43 supporters in shaving their heads en masse.

But the event was disrupted by pro-Beijing activists chanting slogans condemning the campaign. A 29-year-old woman was hurt when scuffles broke out. The Occupy volunteer was taken to hospital with head and arm injuries but her condition was not known by press time. The three men and a woman were arrested for assault and detained.

Watch: Occupy Central leaders and supporters shave their heads 'for democracy’

Benny Tai Yiu-ting, an associate professor of law at the University of Hong Kong and one of the Occupy founders, said the move to cut off all their hair symbolised their refusal to accept the tough rules Beijing laid down for the 2017 chief executive election.

The action "will show our determination for Hong Kong to have democracy ... One is willing to give up something he or she considers to be precious to fight for something that is more important," said Tai, who was joined by the civil disobedience movement's co-founders Dr Chan Kin-man and Reverend Chu Yiu-ming. "Today, we are going to give up our hair - and tomorrow, our freedom, to fight for democracy," he said. "We are not going to give up our dignity … the Chinese government will be able to see our determination."