Measured response needed at Hong Kong’s Civic Square
Scuffles on day that should have been seen as a symbolic gesture of reconciliation will not encourage the government to relax conditions
The reopening of “Civic Square” at government headquarters in Admiralty more than three years after the Occupy Central movement serves as a symbolic gesture of reconciliation in Hong Kong’s colourful history of protest and civil conflict. That is what should have distinguished a New Year’s Day pro-democracy march to the square by several thousand protesters.
The scene was reminiscent of the protest in which students stormed the square and triggered the 79 days of road blockades during the Occupy protests of 2014.
This week police and security guards left after about half an hour, allowing protesters onto the stage. This eased concerns about provocative acts by a few radicals that could have prompted a stronger reaction from the authorities. Indeed, the incident may have evoked worrying memories of the Occupy events among officials. There is no question that the city cannot afford a repeat.