Occupy Central leader drops 'grand banquet' hint that protest will start October 1
The likelihood that Occupy Central will be launched on National Day firmed up yesterday when a co-founder of the movement spoke of 'a grand banquet' in Central.
The likelihood that Occupy Central will be launched on National Day, October 1, grew firmer yesterday when a co-founder of the movement spoke of "a grand banquet" in Central while others were marking "the big day".
Another Occupy Central founder has applied to police for a public meeting at Chater Road pedestrian precinct on the public holidays of October 1 and 2.
"While others are celebrating the big day of the country, we will set up a grand banquet in Central to fight for Hong Kong's democracy," Benny Tai Yiu-ting wrote in yesterday.
Occupy later posted a checklist on its Facebook page urging supporters to bring protective gear such as goggles, as well as provisions for two or three days.
"We welcome all pro-democracy supporters who are willing to devote themselves to this cause to join," Tai wrote, adding that people who wanted only to observe were also welcome.
Co-founder Reverend Chu Yiu-ming's application to police supported rumours the sit-in would take place in a section of Chater Road closed to traffic on Sundays and public holidays. Chu filed the application in the name of his Hong Kong Democratic Development Network.
It seeks to hold a rally on Chater Road between 3pm and midnight on October 1 and 7am and midnight on October 2. It also asks to use Chater Garden from 3pm on October 1 to midnight on October 3. A source close to Occupy said organisers would withdraw the October 2 application if the National Day one succeeded.
Separately, the Civil Human Rights Front scrapped a march from Victoria Park to Chater Road on October 1 after it was denied permission to use the park.
Meanwhile three more protesters were yesterday charged over an unruly protest outside the Legislative Council building on June 13. They will appear at Eastern Court tomorrow. At least 20 people have been charged since Saturday over the rally and one a week earlier, against two new towns in the New Territories.
