Occupy Central seeking support from women, workers after criticism

Organisers of the Occupy Central movement said they had been seeking support from women and workers but acknowledged it had not been easy.

In recent days the campaign for universal suffrage came under criticism after 10 more professionals stepped forth to back Occupy Central. Critics said the support came as no surprise because some were already known as pro-democracy activists, such as Tony Tsoi Tung-ho, a former radio host and co-founder of the online House News portal.

Speaking on Commercial Radio on Tuesday morning, Reverend Chu Yiu-ming dismissed such criticisms, saying they have been seeking support among women and lower-income workers as well.

“We want new faces to come forth and show support ... and that’s not easy,” Chu acknowledged. “There will be representatives among women and the working class, because we are reaching out to different sectors. They will come forth gradually.”

Chu emphasised that everyone who showed their backing has a story to tell.

Law academic Benny Tai Yiu-ting, another proponent of the movement, said he was not disappointed that public discussion about Occupy Central had cooled recently.