Far from the recent events at Lung Wo Road, the Umbrella Movement remained largely peaceful in Mong Kok on Thursday. Despite reports that the police were planning to clear the Argyle Street and Nathan Road interchange, the area has been stable since the brief riotous clash between Occupy Central and Pro Beijing demonstrators on Oct. 3.
Occupied territory has ebbed and grown during its short lifetime, but the large central marquee has remained a home to public debate throughout. Since its inception, the morning after the Admiralty tear gas clashes on Sept. 29, its facilities have improved, now boasting multiple speakers and microphones for members of the public to address the crowd.
Members of the public voice concerns in the main tent
The KMB behemoths, dubbed the democracy busses, were removed during the volatile Friday, taking the messages of peace and love with them. These messages, appearing all over the Occupy movement sites, have ranged from post-its to full scale oil works. Being torn down nightly only to be replaced by morning, they mirror the protests themselves.
Creative posts on the barriers
In the last few days Mong Kok has blossomed with yellow paper umbrellas streaming from the street-lights. As attention withdrew from the heart of Kowloon, the more creative members of the movement saw their opportunity to express themselves.Donations of water, food and even tents have kept the Argyle street occupation strong, and demonstrators were even treated to a surprise free hog roast today.
Free hog roast
News of CY Leung’s press conference this afternoon was not slow to reach the area, although the students here had decided they were in it for the long haul days before, knowing the government was unlikely to change its mind. Trying to diffuse the situation, Leung again defended the current election proposals, stating “If we do it in 2017, we can change it again in 2022”. Crowds will likely stay until talks are held, though Leung did claim that, “It’s always been my wish…for the Government to start and maintain a dialogue”.
Students enjoy some light relief
The presence of policemen in black vests tasked with keeping a handle on triad unrest has all but disappeared. Footage of CID officers using batons against protesters on Oct. 3 had already been circulating before the video of Wednesday’s attack on Ken Tsang went viral. Tsang, a member of the Civic Party, has confirmed that he will press charges following the covertly filmed beating allegedly involving seven members of the CID. Screenshots of the video have been posted all around the Mong Kok camp, and while their reputation has taken a similar beating, the police are still enjoying a surprisingly positive response from demonstrators.
Media above the MTR exit
Some disgruntled locals began swearing at TVB cameramen mounted atop an MTR exit, angry over their portrayal of the Ken Tsang assault. The police responded by cordoning off the area to give reporters more protection.
Perched reporters
Later the officers demanded that bamboo scaffolding in the area be dismantled over safety concerns, and the students quickly complied. An officer gave a moving speech commenting on the pressures many police have felt and insisting that “one doesn’t represent all”.
Police ask protesters to remove bamboo scaffolding
As crowds swelled later in the day, intermittent shouting matches occurred between pro-democracy and pro-Beijing sides with varying intensity. Police were keen to dispel unrest and were aided by the area’s local peacekeeper – a student dressed head-to-toe in protective gear, armed with a Captain America shield.
Short-lived shouting matches
The altercations faded away just as quickly as they had built, and with the sunset, calm returned to Argyle street. Volunteers sorted litter for recycling, speakers took up their microphones and students settled down for the long wait ahead.
Capt. America makes an appearance
Words and Photos: Adrian O’Sullivan
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