JEFFIE LAMjeffie.lam@scmp.com
PUBLISHED : Wednesday, 16 September, 2015, 12:00am
UPDATED : Wednesday, 16 September, 2015, 12:00am
Reverend Chu Yiu-ming prepares for nose surgery, Chu's eyes are developing problems. Photo: Edmond So
While his fellow Occupy Central co-founders have been busy giving talks overseas and working on books about last year's unprecedented 79-day sit-ins for democracy, Reverend Chu Yiu-ming has taken a back seat after the campaign took its toll on his health.
The 71-year-old human rights activist had already arranged a consultation with his doctor about sinusitis before he and his two comrades, Benny Tai Yiu-ting and Dr Chan Kin-man, abruptly launched the occupation of Admiralty a year ago this month. Predictably, he was unable to keep the appointment until the streets were cleared.
Now, as he prepares for nose surgery, Chu's eyes are developing problems - he has cataracts in one, while the other retina is broken. "Since the movement ended, I have been going to and from hospitals and clinics," a watery-eyed Chu told the Post.
In the past 12 months, Tai and Chan - scholars of law and sociology, respectively - have been keeping the "umbrella movement" in the global spotlight by visiting countries abroad to share their experiences.
From left, Occupy Central organisers Dr Chan Kin-man, Benny Tai Yiu-ting and Reverend Chu Yiu-ming. Photo: May Tse
They have also been training a number of aspirants who hope to sustain the pro-democracy momentum by running in November's district council elections.
But, said Chu: "I have been fading out, not only because my body could not manage that, but also there is actually not much I could do, other than give advice, encourage the young people and root for their new groups."
Chu is a veteran of the city's fight for democracy, first joining the crusade for direct elections back in the 1980s. The pastor said before the protests began that he considered Occupy his "last battle", and wanted the movement to wake up Hongkongers.
Chu now considers the movement a success. He believes citizens have had a "civil awakening", even though the protests brought reform no closer.
With two operations ahead - plus the possibility of criminal prosecution over his role in Occupy - Chu at least had a more enjoyable summer than last year, when Beijing rolled out a restrictive blueprint for political reform despite the looming mass sit-ins.
"I am very happy that I have finally taught my grandchildren how to swim," he said. "Now the summer holiday is over with the children going back to school, I will focus on curing my illness."
http://m.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/1858514/occupy-central-veteran-reverend-chu-yiu-ming-takes-back-seat
