Hong Kong University students descend on President Zhang Xiang’s office and home, demanding he condemns police handling of protests
- Angered by protest policing and mask ban, students turn ire on heads of two universities
- Hard-core group of about 10 target HKU president’s home, spraying graffiti and throwing objects
Dozens of University of Hong Kong students who want its president to condemn police for their handling of protests surrounded his office on Friday demanding open talks before a smaller group of radicals targeted his home, a day after threatening to step up their campaign.
Zhang Xiang was criticised by some students this week for swerving their calls to speak out directly against alleged police brutality and instead voicing opposition to “any form of violence by any party”.
In a letter issued on Friday morning, the university head responded to a second ultimatum by saying he hoped to take part in a forum with students this month.
The first ultimatum was a petition signed by over 3,500 students, staff and alumni for Zhang to respond by October 28 to their four demands, which include issuing an open letter condemning police and holding an open dialogue with students.
Responding to that on Monday, Zhang did not touch on the forum or single out police in his condemnation of violence.
