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Hong Kong's chief executive Leung Chun-ying lampooned by protesters. AP/Press Association Images

Hong Kong protesters batten down ahead of Chinese national holiday

China has condemned the protests as “illegal” but Hong Kong’s leadership has denied speculation that Beijing would send in the army.

HONG KONG’S EMBATTLED leader has for an immediate end to street demonstrations  but protesters refused to move until Beijing grants the financial hub genuine democracy.

Tens of thousands have paralysed the city but China’s leaders continue to mainatin a silence on the protests.

In his first public comments since demonstrators were tear gassed by riot police on Sunday evening, Hong Kong’s chief executive Leung Chun-ying said protests organised by the pro-democracy Occupy Central group had got “out of control”.

“Occupy Central founders had said repeatedly that if the movement is getting out of control, they would call for it to stop. I’m now asking them to fulfil the promise they made to society, and stop this campaign immediately,” Leung said.

But protest leaders immediately rejected Leung’s demands and renewed their calls for him to step down.

“If Leung Chun-ying announces his resignation, this occupation will be at least temporarily stopped in a short period of time, and we will decide on the next move,” co-founder Chan Kin-man told reporters after Leung’s comments.

The protests have left Beijing grappling with one of the biggest challenges to its rule of the semi-autonomous city at a time when the Communist Party is cracking down hard on dissent on the mainland.

The demonstrations, the worst civil unrest Hong Kong has experienced since its 1997 handover from British rule, were sparked by Beijing’s decision last month to restrict who can stand for the city’s top post.

Hong Kongers will be able to vote for their next chief executive in 2017 elections but only two or three candidates vetted by a pro-Beijing committee will be allowed to stand — something demonstrators have labelled a “fake democracy” that shows Hong Kong cannot trust its mainland overseers.

Hong Kong Democracy Protest Student activists sleep on a road near the government headquarters. Wong Maye-E Wong Maye-E

But Leung said Beijing would never be persuaded to change its stance by the protesters while they occupy streets.

“The central government will not be coerced into submission because some people have used illegal actions,” he said.

China’s Communist Party leader Xi Jinping made no comment on the protests today as he and other top party officials offered flower baskets in Tiananmen Square on the first “Martyrs’ Day”, a new holiday to celebrate China’s national heroes.

China has condemned the Hong Kong protests as “illegal”, but Hong Kong’s leadership has denied speculation that Beijing would send in the army to quash dissent.

 ’We must keep fighting’

Schools in affected areas were again closed today and commuters faced disruption, with many bus routes suspended or rerouted and taxis scarce.

Throughout the morning protester numbers dwindled from their overnight highs, when tens of thousands turned the city’s downtown into a carnival after riot police withdrew.

But those manning the barricades showed no signs of backing down, digging in for a third day of occupying major thoroughfares.

“We have to keep fighting for freedom and democracy because it has been gradually taken away from us,” sadi 23-year-old Phoebe Wong .

“People won’t stop until we have a result we’re happy with. It feels like the government doesn’t care about us and isn’t listening,” she added.

Hong Kong Democracy Protest Barricades made of metal gates and umbrellas in the Central financial district. Wong Maye-E Wong Maye-E

In the central district of Admiralty — where many international businesses and the main protest site are located — Sara Chan was one of many lamenting the lack of movement from Hong Kong’s government.

“I am happy the police didn’t use tear gas last night, but we still haven’t heard anything constructive from the government,” she said.

Analysts say the chance of Beijing backing down is virtually non-existent, leaving a city once renowned for its stability plunged into an unknown future with democracy activists concerned the police could return at any moment.

Wednesday marks the 65th anniversary of the Communist Party’s seizure of power in BeijiNG – which is celebrated as National Day across China. Fireworks scheduled for Wednesday evening in Hong Kong have been cancelled but protesters are hoarding supplies and erecting makeshift barricades ahead of a possible crackdown.

Overnight the United States led international calls for Hong Kong authorities to “exercise restraint”.

“We believe an open society, with the highest possible degree of autonomy and governed by the rule of law, is essential for Hong Kong’s stability and prosperity,” White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters.

Former colonial power Britain also expressed concern, calling for “constructive” talks to end the standoff.

David Cameorn said this morning that he is “deeply concerned” by the protests and said he hopes they would be resolved.

But on Monday, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said Beijing opposed “any foreign and external interference in China’s internal affairs by any country”.

Hong Kong Democracy Protest A student guards against pepper spray. AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

Frustration and strikes 

Communist authorities are worried that dealing with the protests too softly could encourage wider demands for greater freedoms on the mainland.

Hong Kong authorities meanwhile are caught between protester demands, Beijing’s uncompromising stance and trying to keep the city running.

Many locals have expressed frustration at the huge disruption the protests have caused, with the crowds blocking key junctions and districts.

But the protests have also prompted displays of solidarity. Some social workers and teachers also went on strike after the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions and the Professional Teachers’ Union called for members to take action.

Commentators say still bigger crowds could turn out as the week progresses, with Wednesday and Thursday public holidays in Hong Kong.

© – AFP 2014

Read: Pro-democracy protesters tear-gassed in Hong Kong >

Read: Hong Kong protesters stay on streets despite tear gas and riot police >

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    Mute Early Cuyler
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    Dec 26th 2019, 10:13 PM

    The idea that THC is bad also takes away from our understanding and the medicinal potential.

    180
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    Mute Record Sunshine
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    Dec 26th 2019, 10:52 PM

    Heaven forbid that cannabis might leave the reefer madness era behind once and for all and be a mainstream product of benefit for millions of people. Keeping people drugged up on legal prescription drugs seems to be perfectly acceptable, though. A smoke definitely does one good after a hefty Christmas dinner, anyway. Celebrations, here I come .

    149
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    Mute Karl Charlie
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    Dec 26th 2019, 11:16 PM

    @Record Sunshine: legal prescription drugs make money for big pharma but the suggestion of taking money off them by using cbd is like askin ffg to pay their dail bar bill never gonna happen

    74
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    Mute Clare McAfee
    Favourite Clare McAfee
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    Dec 26th 2019, 11:43 PM

    @Karl Charlie: start taking to the Gov about tax income, more jobs, and votes, and they might listen a little less to pharma industry pressure..

    32
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    Mute Clare McAfee
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    Dec 26th 2019, 11:40 PM

    No research in this area? Someone had better tell the state of Florida quick. Licenses are applied for to the state, and granted on the basis of scientific research. Several of my friends in the US with chronic pain apply to the state they live in for a licence and a week later are down at the dispensary collecting a medical grade product. Give up the “no research” excuse, chronic pain patients are sick of hearing it.

    112
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    Mute Emer Caffrey
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    Dec 27th 2019, 10:15 AM

    @Clare McAfee: just ask the patients who’ve benefited from it when nothing else worked

    21
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    Mute Conall
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    Dec 28th 2019, 2:16 AM

    @Emer Caffrey: Individual reports are not a reliable way of determinining the efficacy of a medication. This can only be done through properly designed trials.

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    Mute John Brendan Mullen
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    Dec 26th 2019, 11:19 PM

    Headline should read, if we sell CBD/THC the shareholders in the big pharmaceutical companies might receive lower dividends.

    106
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    Mute Mike Murphy
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    Dec 26th 2019, 11:23 PM

    @John Brendan Mullen: that’s the big problem…something you can grow at home can have health benefits that you wont be spending money on prescription drugs the big players dont like that

    72
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    Mute John Black
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    Dec 27th 2019, 3:12 PM

    @John Brendan Mullen: the people who hold most of the patents for Cannabis based medicinal products are the big pharmaceutical companies so please remove your tinfoil hat

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    Mute Vincent McDermott
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    Dec 28th 2019, 8:03 AM

    @John Black: Quiet the opposite, pharmaceutical companies have been looking at cannabinoids for years. With stricter regulators in the Pharma industry, safety and efficacy data must be proven. This is not the case with the natural health sector who can make claims for cures without proper research.

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    Mute Mike Murphy
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    Dec 26th 2019, 11:09 PM

    The plant is given to us from the earth…has so many benefits.. why live in 1950s ireland and not legalise it…has so much revenue to be made from it..and on the medical side it helps alot of people

    67
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    Mute HearMeNow33
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    Dec 27th 2019, 12:20 PM

    @Mike Murphy: You had me on the first line of your comment…. Totally agree.

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    Mute Pat Conners
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    Dec 26th 2019, 11:35 PM

    I live in the neatherlands.. as everyone knows smoking a joint is tolerated. Outside of the stigma of drug use it is well known in Holland that sufferers of cancer and MS will suffer less as a result of marijuana..THC is what gets you high..CBD is what apparently cures many ailments..this story seems to glorify pharmaceutical cures that are for sure 10fold more expensive than a plant.

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    Mute Arragh Sure
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    Dec 26th 2019, 10:08 PM

    Rubbish. If they make cannibas available for pain as it is everywhere else and quit acting like there is no evidence of anything about cannibas they may show some brains as a government. Then again.

    111
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    Mute ihcalaM
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    Dec 26th 2019, 10:24 PM

    @Arragh Sure: Yeah but there’s a difference between cannabis being used for pain (legitimately) and the quacks promoting it as a cure for every disease under the Sun.

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    Mute Arragh Sure
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    Dec 26th 2019, 10:33 PM

    @ihcalaM: That is true. There is also an acute difference between people suffering and waiting on opiates which is the issue here. Not as acute as not giving a fiddlers and acquiring it anyway ^_^

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    Mute Audrey Muddiman
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    Dec 26th 2019, 10:46 PM

    Probably the only sensible response on. Social media I have seen thus far. Anyone saying there’s of research etc doesn’t consider the side effects. Do we seriously need another under research product on the market just because it might suit the vested interests to push it through

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    Mute Fachtna Roe
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    Dec 26th 2019, 11:12 PM

    @Audrey Muddiman: It’s been researched for the last 5,000 years.

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    Mute Brendan Greene
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    Dec 26th 2019, 11:25 PM

    @Fachtna Roe: no. It hasn’t. We are talking about peer reviewed research trials using controls and placebos. Commercial pressure is not a good environment for proper research.

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    Mute Arragh Sure
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    Dec 27th 2019, 4:14 AM

    @Audrey Muddiman: I am stunned (not) to see that the empirical evidence available for its good side effects in treating various ailments has thus far eluded you.

    15
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    Mute Brian Conway
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    Dec 27th 2019, 7:40 AM

    @Audrey Muddiman: what do you think the yanks don’t do research?? There’s masses of research been done. Masses

    11
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    Mute Clare McAfee
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    Dec 27th 2019, 8:45 AM

    @Audrey Muddiman: tell that to my chronic pain friends in the US with their State-granted medical cannabis licenses, based on scientific research (their consultant sends research in with their application). The license isn’t granted without it. Of course there’s side effects, of course it won’t work for everyone, but like any other drug it’s about the RIGHT to access. Let’s just sit here while the US make it legal on a federal basis.. it’ll happen. I spent 2 months in Colorado where it’s legal recreationally and medically – saying you can’t have access to regulated cannabis is like saying off you go to the pub and you’ve no idea what’s in your drink.. Strict laws re driving and public nuisance in CO, and I didn’t once see any incident. Did see cannabis in house window boxes a lot..

    12
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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    Dec 27th 2019, 2:13 PM

    @Arragh Sure: You are wrong and I know people who moved states in the US to use cannabis as medication.
    “Drugs Are Bad” line is killing the use of a non toxic drug.
    Big Pharma are stopping it until they get their artificial alternative right as the type on the market at the moment is lethal.
    There are thousands of studies and reports showing the good CBD does with a touch of THC in it.

    3
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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    Dec 27th 2019, 2:15 PM

    @Audrey Muddiman: Pushing through a product you can grow yourself.

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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    Dec 27th 2019, 2:15 PM

    @Brendan Greene: It has been researched and thats why it is legal in a lot of states and countries like Canada.

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    Mute Vincent McDermott
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    Dec 28th 2019, 8:07 AM

    @Gary Kearney: most active ingredients in Pharma is from natural products

    1
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    Mute Damien Barton
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    Dec 26th 2019, 10:11 PM

    Like antibiotics but keep selling away on them do

    27
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    Mute EdmundOrlando
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    Dec 26th 2019, 11:37 PM

    5htp is also a good cure all derived from plants thats legalised.. better than any anti depressant out there with minimal side effects!

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    Mute Emer Caffrey
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    Dec 27th 2019, 10:19 AM

    @EdmundOrlando: very interesting, first time I’ve heard of it. Can it be taken with anti depressants?

    3
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    Mute Mary Morrisey
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    Dec 27th 2019, 10:45 AM

    @Emer Caffrey: No, just as St. John’s Wort can’t. 5HTP is not legally sold in Ireland.

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    Mute Vincent McDermott
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    Dec 28th 2019, 8:12 AM

    @Mary Morrisey: St John’s Wort has moved to prescription as it was shown to be a chemical disrupted I believe, and can interefer with things like the contraceptive pill

    1
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    Mute HearMeNow33
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    Dec 27th 2019, 12:26 PM

    I miss having a joint. Off it now 3.25 years. I know the day and date i stoped smoking it. No particular reason but drug driving laws were looming, not that i smoked while driving but i loved sitting down at night after work in front of tv and relaxing.. Preferred it to alcohol. Last drink i had was July… I never gave it up… I’m just on a break..

    11
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    Mute Perlum Sprite
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    Dec 27th 2019, 11:56 AM

    I would allow people to grow it at home, perhaps 2 plants.

    8
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    Mute Tommy Sea
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    Dec 27th 2019, 1:46 AM

    I feel violated, my human rights trampled on, because of the way it is now.

    7
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    Mute Deirdre Howard
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    Dec 27th 2019, 1:49 PM

    I drink CBD coffee and find it relaxed me.i love it. The coffee tastes great to

    4
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    Mute aidan mccormack
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    Dec 27th 2019, 7:04 AM

    @Anna69axx: nice try… you probably have big balls than I do.

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    Mute Real Online Career
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    Jun 13th 2020, 2:00 PM

    CBD can be useful in treating depression – read about CBD and Depression at https://mjgrow.weebly.com/home/cbd-and-depression

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    Mute Paul Dooley
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    Dec 27th 2019, 11:56 PM

    Time to test what they are selling

    Something is wrong when i saw it’s for sale in a tiny shopping center in sham town or which has 4 viable shops and a pop up shops all over the country

    Are these not the head shops back again wake up cal

    So it’s more profitable than everything else

    How much profit is out of it and is it addictive

    In 10 years time there will be an enquiry into it

    1
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