Hilary Wong
Friday, August 29, 2014
Occupy Central will be stopped if there is violence or if those in charge lose control of the situation, according to organizer Benny Tai Yiu-ting.
Tai, who said he will shave his head bald, told a radio program that supporters of the civil disobedience movement will gather on Sunday outside the chief executive's office after Beijing officially lays down its framework for political reform in Hong Kong.
That will mark the beginning of a continuous and long civil disobedience campaign. But he stressed Occupy Central will not take place on Sunday and that there will be no trial run.
"If Occupy Central is to occur, we hope that we can arrive there before we are arrested," he said. "We will have to handle the details strategically. When the day comes, some may know we are going to occupy Central, but we will not make clear which day that will be."
Tai promised the campaign will be peaceful and rational.
"To comply with our pledge of non- violence, if the social movement gets out of control, we will definitely stop the campaign."
But Tai said weekly protests would be held as part of the civil disobedience campaign and his decision to shave his head is to show the spirit of sacrifice.
"We've been discussing and coordinating with different groups, including Civil Human Rights Front and the Federation of Students. We still do not have many details about the event. It will not be complicated."
Meanwhile, thousands of students are expected to boycott classes next m
Chow said so far students in 11 tertiary education institutions have expressed support for the boycott.
On the first day of the boycott there will be a rally which is expected to take place at the University Mall of the Chinese University, which is spacious and can accommodate a large number of people, he said.
Chow said in the following days of the boycott, students may set up street booths to explain to residents the rationale behind their action. He said it is hoped the action will send a clear message that "even the younger generation is opposing the government's decision."
Chow said the question of whether the boycott will be upgraded will depend on the political situation and the coordination between pan-democratic groups.
http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=30&art_id=148917&sid=42887539&con_type=3
