Anti-Occupy movement to blame for polarisation in Hong Kong

Evan Fowler says organisation of its petition and rally shows it seeks neither to engage nor educate

Sunday's anti-Occupy Central march was marred by stories of protesters receiving payment or gifts. Photo: AP

I recently caught up with an old friend who has spent the past four years in Shanghai. He and his family have relocated back to Hong Kong for work. "Hong Kong is not the same city we left," he said. "There's been a fundamental change."

When I asked him what he meant, he told me how, over a family dinner, his brother-in-law had received an email from work ordering him to sign a petition. If he did not, the email threatened, he would lose his job. He signed the petition.

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