Occupy's leaders surrendered to the police yesterday.The three co-founders of Occupy Central surrendered to the police yesterday, along with nearly 50 supporters of the movement.
Reverend Chu Yiu-ming and academics Benny Tai Yiu-ting and Chan Kin-man reported to Central Police Station at 3pm yesterday in an attempt to bring a peaceful end to the protests. The three co-founders were released shortly after handing over their details and no arrests were made.
Before entering the police station, Tai handed out a form for those planning to surrender. Tai explained that the form contained information telling the police that the signee had violated the Public Order Ordinance.
The form also included personal details and information about when they visited the protest areas, but Tai urged those handing themselves in not to give any further details to police.
Tai stressed that turning himself over to the police did not mean failure. He said that over the past two months, the movement had inspired a new generation to demand democracy.
But he added that he is worried that the escalating violence from police will ultimately lead to protesters getting harmed. "I can't imagine what this heartless government will do to the people. Protesters should leave," he said.
Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, who has supported the protests, also surrendered to the police yesterday. He said he was prepared to go to jail. "Putting me in jail is the best evidence to prove that Hong Kong's administration system is unfair," he said.
Meanwhile, Scholarism member Prince Wong Ji-yuet, who has been on hunger strike since Monday along with Joshua Wong Chi-fung, felt unwell and threw up after more than 30 hours without food.
She accepted medication from a medical team which included doctors, but she refused to go to hospital.