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Chloe Lai

The Queen's Pier protesters, their ranks swollen to more than 100 by new arrivals, spent the night on benches, on sofas and on the ground, chatting, reading and singing, fully aware that sooner or later the police would show up and tell them to go.

Most said they were ready to stay until they were forcibly removed.

Nineteen-year-old Guy Hau Ka-chiu was one of the newcomers who arrived on Monday to join the diehards who have been camped at the pier for three months.

'I want to be part of history, I want to experience history,' the design student said. 'If I didn't come here today, I would have missed this chance. The pier will be pulled down. I also want to know what it is like to be removed by the police.'

Mr Hau, who lives in a public housing estate in Tseung Kwan O,  travelled to the pier with three neighbours.

He said they made up their minds after watching the debate between Development Secretary Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor and the activists on the pier's future on Sunday because Mrs Lam failed to convince them the pier must be pulled down.

Ho Ka-ho, 19, said: 'I feel sorry for Hong Kong people. The people of Hong Kong always say we do not like the pier to be pulled down; we do not like a particular policy. But we never take action; it is why we can't change anything. So we decided to come to the pier because we must act on what we believe in.

'Now I have come. I will share my experience with those who did not come. I know my sharing will affect those who listen and I'm sure this experience, what I see and hear in the pier, will impact my whole life.'

The pair did not sleep, spending the night chatting with old and new friends.

One of those new friends,  Frankie Cheung Man-wah, also 19, said he was gay and as a member of a minority group should support the calls of other minority groups.

'Queen's Pier is a public place. The government can pull down the pier today; it can pull down a gay bar next time,' said Mr Cheung, who is studying Chinese literature and human rights in Taiwan.

He said he had told his mother about his sexual orientation before he left for tertiary education in Taiwan two years ago. He also said his mother knew he would at the pier in the coming days.

Kevin Chiu Chi-wai, 21,  joined the protesters after watching Sunday's debate. 'I was very angry ... Mrs Lam was completely insincere. She was asked a simple question like 'what is 1 plus 1?' But instead of answering the question, she said she had done a lot of preparation for the exam.'

Mr Chiu, an associate degree student, is studying social studies.

Core protester Leung Chun-yin, 23, said he could not recall how many nights he had spent at the pier.

'I'm touched by seeing so many new faces,' the Local Action member said. 'I think it shows they understand what we're doing. They understand we're reasonable and persistent. They will see the world from a new perspective after this time. I will probably return to school after the issue of the pier is settled.'

Not all the protesters were young.

Yip Mee-yeung, 59,  a member of the H15 Concern Group, set up to protest against the demolition of Wan Chai's Lee Tung Street, also known as Wedding Card Street, said she supported the activists.

'Young people have been helping us over the past years. I am here because they need my support,' said Ms Yip, who spent most of the evening resting on a sofa the protesters had picked up from a rubbish collection point.

She said she would put on sneakers when she returned to the pier.  'I have to dress up to prepare for being removed by the police.'



Young and old on front line say it's time to stand up for beliefs