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CHEUNG CHI-FAI

Jeffie Lam

It was a night and a day of desperation and enlightenment on Hong Kong's streets, which were turned into a battlefield for democracy and a testing ground of protesters' civic qualities.
Hongkongers braved round after round of tear gas attacks by police in Central and Admiralty on Sunday night and the small hours of Monday, and stood their ground without retaliating.
Apart from their bodies, makeshift shields were their only form of defence. People used anything they could find in the streets - rubbish bins, fences, traffic signs and the police's barricades.
The touching scenes drew more people to join in yesterday.

"They did not retreat even when there was tear gas," finance professional Sam Ng, who joined the Harcourt Road crowd at noon, said. "They are determined to fight for what they truly deserve and I am proud of them."
When the gas assaults grew too much to bear, protesters simply walked to Causeway Bay or crossed the harbour to Mong Kok and formed new sit-in sites.
In a few hours, thousands had occupied a long section of Nathan Road - from Dundas Street in Yau Ma Tei stretching into Lai Chi Kok - trapping a few buses inside. The giant double-deckers conveniently became protection for them.
Gone was the filthy smoke from bus operations and in were the chants from spontaneous yet orderly protesters filling the crossroads at Argyle Street. Nathan Road had never been so easy to walk down, the barricades notwithstanding.
Their patience, however, did not go untested. At one point, emotionally charged protesters threw plastic bottles at a score of policemen.
Some also flared up when officers tried in vain to drive away the trapped buses and when a distressed woman insisted on meandering through the crowd. But fellow protesters called out reminders of the need to stay cool-headed, and peace prevailed.
Drivers, at the risk of being fined, blocked roads leading to the occupied junction with their trucks. "Tow it away, if you want," one man said.

Supporters sent in supplies. One grocery store provided a truckload of bottled water. Protesters also set up impromptu areas for medical aid and supplies distribution. Volunteers picked up rubbish and packed it for collection or recycling.
But the seemingly never-ending supplies could not replace badly needed sleep. Outside Sogo department store in Causeway Bay, protesters agreed among themselves to split in two groups and take turns to doze off.
"When one group sleeps, another can keep watch and guard the barricades," a woman said.
Their perseverance and tolerance won even more public support. A pleasant surprise came when a karaoke bar opened its windows and blared out a popular Canto-pop song.
Back at Harcourt Road, bank employee Yoko Lui set up a booth to collect donated materials and redistribute them. "Does anyone need wet towels? How about bottled water?" she chanted.
"I'm very touched. I realise Hongkongers are not apolitical and are even very united," Lui said, having taken a day off work to help. "Lots of people gave us bread shortly after we said we needed it."
 
 


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Occupy Central

Inspired by protesters' defiance, more join in while others offer practical help

Occupy Central pro-democracy protesters wet cloths for distribution in preparation for tear gas. Photo: EPA

An Occupy Central pro-democracy protester holds up a banner. Photo: EPA

Protesters, some fleeing the tear in Admiralty, moved to Causeway Bay and to Mong Kok (above), where thousands remained on Nathan Road yesterday. Photo: May Tse

Protesters' signs calling for democracy lie taped to the road in Causeway Bay. Photo: Felix Wong

Supporters distribute much-needed food and water in Hennessy Road. Photos: Jonathan Wong

Police officer expresses surprise at use of tear gas against protesters

Riot officers stand guard on Connaught Road Central. Photo: Dickson Lee

News

Hong Kong

It was a night and a day of desperation and enlightenment on Hong Kong's streets, which were turned into a battlefield for democracy and a testing ground of protesters' civic qualities.
