With paint, chalk and songs, protesters show their dismay at the demolition of a city landmark A kettle of steaming water, a man in a clock tower suit, singing, chalk drawings on pavements and hundreds of hand-drawn pictures fluttering in the breeze were just some of the artistic-themed protests that marked the last day of the Star Ferry at its Central home. Organised by heritage group See Network, scores of volunteers urged visitors to make known their feelings on the demolition of the clock tower, Star Ferry Pier and Queen's Pier by way of painting, singing and writing. To spur them on, a man named Sam wearing a white clock tower costume ran through the crowds yelling: 'Keep the pier where it is.' 'Obviously there are a lot of people here today who are not happy about the demolition of the clock tower,' he said. 'There was no consultation throughout this whole process. The fact there are so many people here shows what the people want.' He and three protesters then climbed on to the roof of the tower at about 6pm and unveiled a banner demanding the pier be preserved. They stayed for 15 minutes before heeding appeals by pier staff to come down. An unusual petition was hung up throughout the building, on a green string that crisscrossed the ceiling of the concourse. It consisted of small stickers featuring the clock tower on which petitioners had signed their names. As the day progressed and the stickers ran out, people began drawing pictures of the clock tower and writing messages on sheets of paper, which were also stuck to the string. Written beside one drawing of the clock tower was: 'Ding dong, ding dong, please don't take me away'. Others took a more serious tone, accusing business interests and the government of ruining the city's heritage. Yuen Chi-yan, a volunteer who was handing out strips of pink adhesive tape and blank pieces of paper, said: 'This place is part of our collective memory. It's very important to us.' Music played a large part, with groups singing and playing instruments. A poignant note was added when a group of seven flautists re-enacted the chiming of the clock tower. Others made chalk drawings on the ground, stretching from the entrance gates of the ferry pier to the taxi rank. Chan Chun-lai, six, was among the pavement artists. 'It's good fun. I've never drawn on the ground before,' he said, watched by his mother, Carol, who said: 'It's difficult to teach my son the right values when the government is destroying something that is still useful. It's difficult to teach him how to treasure something and not throw it away when he doesn't like it.' A City University media student named Kanji tied himself to a pole, with steam wafting from a kettle. The steam signified memories that could not be recaptured. Star Ferry managing director Frankie Yick said: 'I think they have the right to ask the government to consider keeping the old pier because there is a lot of affection for it.'