One of Hong Kong's most prominent pro-democracy leaders struggled to contain his emotions Wednesday as he warned protests would spread like "blossoming flowers" and pleaded with residents to understand why the city has been brought to a standstill.
Occupy Central co-founder Chan Kin-man told reporters it was inevitable the protests, which have already taken over several main roads and intersections, would grow if the government maintained its hardline stance.
"We understand why citizens are continuing to expand the occupation, it is because the government is so cold," Chan said, regularly having to stop speaking to compose himself.
"Despite such a large occupation, the government is still using such an attitude, so a lot of people think that the action now is not enough and that flowers must continue to blossom everywhere."
Occupy Central is one of the main organisers of the protest which spread to different parts of the semi-autonomous city after riot police tear-gassed demonstrators on Sunday, prompting more supporters to join them on the streets.
Tens of thousands of protesters have assembled in three major commercial and retail areas of Hong Kong for the past three days.
By midday Wednesday, crowds in the central district of Admiralty had already increased to several thousand, with offices closed for a public holiday to mark China's National Day.
Chan, who was close to tears, apologised to citizens for the inconvenience the sit-ins have caused and asked for tolerance.
"I hope everyone will understand what we are doing is not to harm Hong Kong.
"With this short-term inconvenience, we hope to bring about a system that is more fair."
Earlier Wednesday Hong Kong's leader Leung Chun-ying said the community should work together in a "peaceful, lawful, rational and pragmatic manner" while reiterating his commitment to the "Chinese dream".
The city's chief executive has asked protesters to end the sit-in, but his request has had no impact on demonstrators.
The most intense civil unrest Hong Kong has experienced since its 1997 handover from British rule was sparked by Beijing's decision in August to restrict who can stand for the city's top post in elections in 2017.
Protesters have two demands -- that Leung step down and Beijing rescind its insistence that his successor be vetted.
AFP
Wed Oct 01 2014
Occupy Central co-founder Chan Kin-man said it was inevitable the protests, which have already taken over several main roads and intersections, would grow if the government its hardline stance. - AFP Photo
10 Berita Pilihan - (20 Mei 2024)
Antara pelbagai berita dalam dan luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
Cuba ceroboh masuk Istana Negara, dua individu dipenjara dua bulan
Pertuduhan dibuat mengikut Seksyen 447/451 Kanun Keseksaan dan dibaca bersama Seksyen 34 kanun sama.
Kerajaan Malaysia bekerjasama dengan rakan antarabangsa untuk bawa keluar pasukan perubatan MERCY
Kerajaan Malaysia sedang bekerjasama dengan rakan antarabangsa untuk membawa keluar sebuah pasukan perubatan Malaysia yang terperangkap di Rafah, Gaza, menurut Kementerian Luar (Wisma Putra).
PM Anwar ulangi gesaannya untuk AS hentikan keganasan Israel di Gaza
Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim mengulangi gesaannya supaya Amerika Syarikat (AS) melakukan apa sahaja yang diperlukan untuk menghentikan keganasan Israel di Gaza.
10 individu ditahan dalam enam serbuan khas aktiviti penyeludupan
Polis menahan 10 individu termasuk seorang wanita dalam enam serbuan menerusi operasi khas Biro Jenayah Hidupan Liar/Perisikan Siasatan Khas.
65 murid keracunan makanan di Sungai Petani
Seramai 65 murid Sekolah Kebangsaan Bandar Puteri Jaya dipercayai mengalami keracunan makanan selepas makan di kantin sekolah pagi tadi.
Pengadu terima panggilan pertama Ebit Lew jam 3.40 pagi - Saksi
Seorang wanita hari ini memberitahu Mahkamah Majistret bahawa dia menerima panggilan telefon pertama daripada Ebit Irawan Ibrahim Lew atau Ebit Lew pada jam 3.40 pagi, 4 Mac 2021.
[TERKINI] Netanyahu tiba di Kneeset teruskan persidangan
Sementara itu, Perdana Menteri Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu dan Menteri Pertahanan Yoav Gallant dilihat meneruskan sesi baharu pembukaan parlimen disaat berita mengenai permohonan waran tangkap hangat diperkatakan ketika ini.
Dalam rakaman yang dikongsikan Reuters, Netanyahu berjalan memasuki dewan dengan kawalan ketat anggota keselamatan.
Dalam rakaman yang dikongsikan Reuters, Netanyahu berjalan memasuki dewan dengan kawalan ketat anggota keselamatan.
[TERKINI] Ketua Pendakwa Raya mohon waran tangkap terhadap Netanyahu
Mimpi ngeri Israel yang menyuarakan kebimbangan Mahkamah Jenayah Antarabangsa (ICC) bersedia mengeluarkan waran tangkap terhadap Perdana Menteri Benjamin Netanyahu serta pegawai-pegawainya bakal menjadi kenyataan selepas notis permohonan diserahkan ICC kepada tiga panel hakim yang terlibat dalam pra-perbicaraan jenayah pembunuhan beramai-ramai di Gaza.
AWANI Ringkas: Buang bayi - Sepasang kekasih ditahan di Kemaman
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.