Benny Tai, one of the founders of Occupy Central and a professor at HKU, said in an interview with Bloomberg that if the sit-in is staged, he wants Hong Kong police to use tear gas and water cannons on the protesters as “the chance for civil disobedience to win is you get the sympathy of the whole community”.
Tai believes that, with at least 10,000 people planning on occupying Central, the 28,500-strong police force will be unable to disperse the crowds without resorting to violence.
Tai explained that he sees this as a good thing, however, as he thinks once authorities use violence against unarmed and peaceful protesters, public opinion will turn in favour of the protesters and the authorities will lose society’s sympathy. This plan follows the writings of Gene Sharp, a famous American academic, whose work, Tai said, has inspired peaceful uprisings in the Middle East.
On June 4, Lai Tung-kwok, the Secretary for Security, vaguely explained action the Hong Kong Police may take against Occupy Central in a response to a question posed by Wong Ting-kwong, a LegCo member.
He said the police “shall decisively take corresponding measures against any contravention of the law, breach of the peace or public order, so as to ensure that public safety and public order are not to be jeopardised”. Any specific measures were not revealed, citing “confidentiality”.
The Police Force has not yet answered a Coconuts Hong Kong request for comment.
Tai told Bloomberg that he doubts the PLA would be called in: “The police have the tear gas and water cannon – surely they can disperse us,” Tai said. “If they bring in the soldiers, that will be even more disproportionate.”
Tai insists that the public be made completely aware of Occupy Central’s intentions and plans: “By making our plan known about from the very beginning, we generate public discussion,” he said. “It’s part of the social awakening process.”
Photo: Benny Tai on June 16, 2014 (by Laurel Chor)
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