Barriers are removed but protesters say they are here to stay
Little resistance as police clear barricades, but many determined to continue their occupation
Defiant democracy protesters vowed to stay at their encampments despite a police operation yesterday morning that cleared many of their makeshift barricades in Admiralty and Causeway Bay.
Last night, hundreds of police clashed with protesters near the government headquarters in Admiralty while other protesters remained along Harcourt Road.
Late on Monday and into yesterday, protesters had built reinforced barricades - using bamboo, metal, wood and cement. Police quickly cleared those yesterday morning using hand and power tools, allowing commuters and local residents to begin travelling along Queensway in Admiralty and on Hennessey Road in Causeway Bay - the first time in more than a fortnight since the start of the Occupy Central protests.
Protesters seemed determined to carry on.
"I think any true Hongkonger should and would [come out in support of students]," said Dominic Cheung Yue-bun, 46, who works in information technology. "The movement can't stop now. It needs to continue until some fruit can be seen."
Some residents and workers said they were thrilled that the barricades were gone.