Hong Kong protesters agree to leave last Occupy site after reform package voted down
Occupants of 'Tim Mei village' begin clear-up ahead of deadline agreed with police
Lands Department officials put up notices announcing the deadline today at Tim Mei Avenue, where campers have continued last year’s Occupy protest since its stronghold in Admiralty was cleared on December 11.
"Now that the government's political reform proposal has been voted down, there is no point staying here any more," said protester Four Lai, considered a spokesman for at least half of the "Tim Mei village".
"We will leave of our own accord. To be fair, the government has been tolerant so far. We won't make things difficult for them."
Lai said police had assured them no clearance action would be taken before Wednesday.
"So far, no one has said they would resist should we be given a deadline," said another protester, Man Wah, who used to camp at the Causeway Bay Occupy site before moving to Admiralty in December.
Yesterday afternoon, about a dozen protesters could be seen at the site, while valuable items and appliances including solar power panels had been removed as packing continued.
Security guards hired by the government were seen taking pictures of the protesters and tents.
While the Lands Department refused to comment, a government source confirmed that Wednesday morning would be the deadline for all tents and belongings to be removed, adding that police would not intervene unless there was any "breach of the peace".
"Usually, everything should be removed within 24 hours after the Lands Department put up the notices, but this time we're giving them more time to pack," the source said.
During the past seven months, various government departments said the camping site was not under their purview, though many suspect there were political reasons behind the authorities' inaction.
Aside from the official police response that it would "monitor the situation", a police source earlier said there were no grounds for interference unless someone broke the law or blocked the road entirely.
In response to the notice requiring the clearance, most of the remaining occupiers expressed their willingness to leave by Wednesday. They regarded the vote down of the electoral reform proposal as a victory.
“I have already packed up my stuff, but I will stay here until the last minute,” Simon Wong, a 71-year old protester said. “Because I want to see if there is a violent clearance and I want to witness every moment of the protest.”
Dang Four, who donated stacks of wooden furniture to the contemporary library in the protest village said protesters had won a victory of sorts. “We will wait for the next proposal from the next government and probably continue to fight for ‘genuine’ universal suffrage.”
However, a handful of protesters did not plan to leave. “The man who lives in my neighbouring tent said he would stay.” Alexandra Wong, a veteran protester said as she packed her things to prepare to go home.
Additional reporting by Frank Feng
