Hong Kong authorities clear up main protest sites
The main protest sites in Central and adjacent Admiralty districts have been cleared up by the
#HongKong authorities on Thursday afternoon. The Hong Kong police said the entire clearing of the occupied sites in Admiralty is expected to conclude before Friday.
Police officers started their move down the street clearing the occupied areas in Admiralty until reaching the city’s government headquarters. The entire Admiralty site was then sealed off, according to local media.
The clearance work of Hong Kong’s main protest sites began 90 minutes after bailiffs read out a court injunction ordering protesters to leave ahead of the comprehensive clearing operation in Central and Admiralty districts.
With the escort of the police, workers wearing safety vests, gloves and helmets dismantled and removed the barricades and makeshift tents in the area.
To separate the barriers, the clearing crews had to cut off iron chains, cable ties, bicycle locks and tightly wound plastic tape.
According to reports, the clearance work has been unfolding smoothly and there have yet to be any clashes. Some protesters left the area, as instructed, early in the morning, but prominent student leaders and some members of Hong Kong’s Legislative Council said they refused to leave the sites.