Hong Kong gets back to normal as roads reopen
Print Edition
TRAFFIC in Hong Kong’s financial district returned to normal yesterday after authorities demolished a protest camp at the heart of the city’s Occupy Central movement.
Trucks, buses and taxis were seen driving on main roads yesterday, past government buildings and the city’s PLA headquarters, where thousands of colorful tents and large art installations had been dotted.
Hundreds of police officers, some armed with chainsaws and bolt cutters, on Thursday dismantled barricades, tore down canopies and removed banners in a daylong operation to close the protest site sprawled across a normally busy highway.
Police said 249 people were arrested for unlawful assembly and obstructing police officers, bringing the total number of those detained since the movement began 75 days earlier to about 900.
There were no violent clashes as had been seen in previous confrontations.
The student-led protesters had occupied streets in the Admiralty neighborhood and two other areas since September 28 to protest against the 2017 election of the city’s chief executive. The movement paralyzed traffic and polarized public opinion.
On Thursday, hundreds of demonstrators heeded police warnings to leave the protest zone to avoid being arrested, but dozens remained. They chanted: “We will be back,” but offered no resistance as they were taken away.
Police reopened the multi-lane highway in downtown Admiralty district on Thursday night after clearing the main protest site
Frustrated retailers whose takings have been badly hit by the protests welcomed the resumption of business.
“I’m glad it’s over, I can take a breather,” said Sammy Wu who owns a tailor shop near to the main protest site.
“Business fell 50 percent during the Occupy period,” he said.
During the protest, mainland visitors shunned Hong Kong, with tours dropping by up to 30 percent during the tense standoff between police and protesters.
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