Update | Black-clad Occupy Central supporters march against Beijing’s universal suffrage plan
Thousands of black-clad Occupy Central supporters took to the streets yesterday in a silent 'black cloth' protest, accusing Beijing of breaking its promise to give Hong Kong democracy.
Thousands of black-clad Occupy Central supporters took to the streets yesterday in a silent "black cloth" protest accusing Beijing of breaking its promise to give Hong Kong democracy.
Defying the scorching heat, Occupy organisers said about 4,000 protesters marched from Causeway Bay to Central. Police estimated 1,860 people took part at its peak.
"What can Hong Kong people do? We need to press ahead with a civil disobedience campaign."
Watch: Thousands of Occupy Central supporters march against Beijing’s universal suffrage stance
Unlike previous pro-democracy marches, the protesters did not chant slogans when the rally started. They remained silent throughout the march to show it was a "solemn" protest against Beijing.
Protesters carried nine pieces of black cloth, about two metres wide and 50 metres long, as they marched through the city. The cloths formed a continuous banner of protest carrying slogans such as "civil disobedience" and "government broke promise".
Among the protesters was a 66-year-old retiree who is ready to take part in Occupy Central.
"I will definitely take part in Occupy Central. We need to tell the Chinese government what we want. If the police eventually need to arrest me, I will tell them not to use violence. I will go with them."
Kenneth Lau, 23, one of the younger protesters, said he was angry because a chief executive election with a screening mechanism was not a genuine democratic poll.
Martin Lee Chu-ming, founder of the Democratic Party who was at the march yesterday, accused the Hong Kong government of being "the central government's running dog".
He said: "I am already 76. I don't know when I will die. But even if I die today, I am not worried at all. Just look at the young people around me."
Tai said at the end of the march that the turnout had been unexpected because he had not done much to help promote the event.
"However, it is hard to say if all the people who took part today will be there when Occupy Central really takes place," he said. "Still, I believe that there will definitely be 10,000 when it starts. The only concern is how long they will stay."
