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Hong Kong protesters told to leave within hours, or face 'serious consequences'

Some groups have withdrawn, but only to reinforce other areas.

Hong Kong Democracy Protest A lone pro-democracy student protester sleeps in the middle of an occupied road. AP Photo / Wally Santana AP Photo / Wally Santana / Wally Santana

PRO-DEMOCRACY DEMONSTRATORS REMAIN divided over whether to withdraw from protest sites across Hong Kong, hours before a government deadline to clear key roads they have blockaded for the last week.

Embattled Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying has said his administration was determined to “take all necessary actions to restore social order” and pave the way for government staff to resume work by Monday morning.

Protest group Occupy Central said demonstrators would leave the secondary Mong Kok site on Sunday to reinforce the main rallying point near government offices across the harbour, and would also allow access to a blockaded road near the downtown headquarters in the Admiralty district.

But the announcement was not backed up by defiant student groups, the key force behind the week-long demonstrations.

Scholarism, led by 17-year-old activist Joshua Wong, and the Hong Kong Federation of Students both issued statements stating they had not told supporters to relocate to the main site.

Hong Kong Democracy Protest Student pro-democracy protesters continue to occupy the streets near government headquarters. AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

“I am staying here to protect this area, I think that we have to do something,” said Bosco Leung, a 21-year-old student who said he was angry at perceived police inaction against violence directed at protesters in Mong Kok. “We don’t have a clear leader here.”

Around 1,000 protesters remained in the shopping district on the Kowloon peninsula by 8:00 pm (1200 GMT), where protesters have faced off with police and anti-democracy agitators from the city’s triad mobs over the weekend.

“There are people saying that we need to clear this area in Mong Kok and move to Admiralty, which some people think they’re just saying to make us leave,” Sophia Kwong, 21-year-old bookkeeping clerk told AFP.

The protesters are demanding the right to nominate who can run as Hong Kong’s next leader in 2017 elections.

Hong Kong Democracy Protest Pro-democracy protesters stage a rally. Kin Cheung Kin Cheung

Today marked exactly a week since police fired tear gas on protesters in an effort to disperse them, but only adding sympathy to their cause and boosting numbers.

University staff made an impassioned plea earlier in the day for students to head home after Leung said his administration was determined to clear the streets.

“The most pressing task for the government is to reopen access to the CGO (Central Government Offices) on Monday so that some 3,000 CGO staff can return to their workplace and continue to provide services to the public,” he said late Saturday.

Leung, who was voted into office by 689 people on a pro-Beijing committee numbering just 1,200 two years ago, issued an ominous warning if the protests are not ended.

“The situation may probably evolve into a state beyond control, and will have serious consequences to public safety and social order,” he said.

- © AFP, 2014

Read: Thousands gather for defiant peace rally in Hong Kong >

More: Protesters being targeted by Triad violence and sexual assaults – Amnesty >

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    Mute John Roche
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    Aug 2nd 2014, 9:57 AM

    Dr Hadden was elected to Wexford Corporation where he served for many years. He also founded the Wexford Male Voice Choir which is still going strong. I , like many of my generation, knew Dr Hadden as he was extremely well known in town. Summer or Winter he never wore an overcoat or socks and only wore very lightweight shoes. He was indeed a great walker and walked miles every day , for many years with his little dog at his side. When his dog was killed by a car it made the newspapers.As far as I can remember he was made a Freeman of the Borough.It was an honour to have known such a man.

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    Mute vv7k7Z3c
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    Aug 2nd 2014, 10:19 AM

    Thanks for that great info, John!

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    Mute L-Plate
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    Aug 2nd 2014, 12:53 PM

    Was he actually 7ft?

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    Mute Anne Marie O'Connor
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    Aug 2nd 2014, 4:25 PM

    No he wasn’t. He was tall, 6ft six maybe.

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    Mute Adam Murphy
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    Aug 2nd 2014, 9:19 AM

    The Pretenders don’t look so impressive now huh?

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    Mute Conor Dunne
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    Aug 2nd 2014, 9:56 AM

    Classic Adam. I tip my hat to you sir

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    Mute Hipster Enda
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    Aug 2nd 2014, 10:06 AM

    The Proclaimers ?

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    Mute Boganity
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    Aug 2nd 2014, 3:58 PM

    Da lat da (Da lat da), da lat da (Da lat da)
    Da-da-da dun-diddle un-diddle un-diddle uh da-da

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    Mute John Roche
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    Aug 2nd 2014, 10:09 AM

    Just to confirm that Dr Hadden was made an Freeman of Wexford in 1972. He never sought to serve as Mayor but probably would have succeeded had he done so. He also founded the Old Wexford Society now known as the Wexford Historical Society.

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    Mute Captain kirk
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    Aug 2nd 2014, 10:55 AM

    Was he 7ft tall?

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    Mute John Roche
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    Aug 2nd 2014, 11:39 AM

    No he was about 6’1″ when he was in his later years so probably about 6’3″in his prime.

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    Mute Robespierre
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    Aug 2nd 2014, 9:23 AM

    Great story – some man for one man.

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    Mute John Roche
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    Aug 2nd 2014, 11:53 AM

    Incidentally his wife Helen lived beyond 100 yrs and died in the early 1980′s. During his time back in Wexford from approx 1940 to his death in 1973 he never practiced as a doctor. He spent his time organising the bodies he had founded and started to conduct tours around town for tourists a practice which is commonplace today. In appearance he had a Chinese type long white beard down beyond his chest and walked very fast ( even when old) usually with his hands clasped behind his back.

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    Mute the flying picket
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    Aug 2nd 2014, 9:24 AM

    If only he had facebook !

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    Mute Noel Quinn
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    Aug 2nd 2014, 10:18 AM

    Some men would walk 10000 miles in the opposite direction !!!!

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    Mute bob®
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    Aug 2nd 2014, 9:24 AM

    Wexford always had great Walkers

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    Mute damien kierans
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    Aug 2nd 2014, 10:43 AM

    Movie please

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    Mute Qwerty
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    Aug 2nd 2014, 11:36 AM

    There already are films where it’s just people walking and nothing else happens. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy!

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    Mute Owen Lynch
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    Aug 2nd 2014, 9:38 AM

    The present Wexford hurling could do with a few (15) like him.

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    Mute Dave Field
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    Aug 2nd 2014, 9:47 AM

    Some tall tale…

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    Mute Alan Lawlor
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    Aug 2nd 2014, 9:25 AM

    I wonder if he sang any Proclaimers songs to keep himself amused along the way…
    da da-da da duh. da da-da da duh …..

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    Mute Alan Lawlor
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    Aug 2nd 2014, 9:27 AM

    Now I see Adam got in ahead of me!

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    Mute Dylan Ryan
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    Aug 2nd 2014, 5:45 PM

    He woulda spotted her miles away with that hat on her….

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    Mute ZeeFeb
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    Mar 20th 2017, 6:44 PM

    @Dylan Ryan: actually that is my great great grandmother. Don’t make fun of her hat. It was the early 1900s

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    Mute ZeeFeb
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    Mar 20th 2017, 6:46 PM

    actually the story is real. I should know. That man is my great great grandfather.

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