Rush-hour traffic streamed through the heart of Hong Kong for the first time in more than two months Friday after police cleared the city's main pro-democracy protest camp with mass arrests -- but activists vowed that their struggle would go on.
The east-west artery through the city's business district had been blocked since September by the sprawling protest site in a campaign that demonstrators say has changed the city's vexed relationship with Beijing forever, and which has polarised public opinion in the city.
Police swept through the Admiralty site Thursday, clearing the multi-lane highway and arresting more than 200 protesters.
The demonstrators are calling for fully free elections for the city's leader in 2017, but Beijing has insisted a loyalist committee vet the candidates, which protesters say would ensure the selection of a pro-China stooge.
Demonstrators feel their lengthy occupation has put the democracy movement on the map with Beijing and the local administration, after it brought parts of the city to a standstill and saw tens of thousands on the street at its height.
But it has achieved no political concessions from either Hong Kong's leaders or Beijing, who both branded the protests "illegal".
Despite that, protest leaders said they would continue to push for reform.
"If we fight a long war we definitely do not have the... resources the government has," said teenage student leader Joshua Wong Thursday.
Instead the movement needed to galvanise the support of young voters, many of whom engaged with politics for the first time during the mass protests.
"If we win the support of the young people regarding democracy... there is a greater chance to achieve universal suffrage."
Leader of the Occupy Central campaign group, Benny Tai, warned of more action to come.
"If the problem of political reform is not handled appropriately I believe the next phase there will be new resistance actions. Would it be long-term occupation of streets? Maybe not," he said.
Tai handed himself in to police last week in a symbolic bid to get the protests off the street in the wake of violent clashes, only to be turned away without being charged or arrested.
'Coherent voice'
Analysts said the pro-democracy movement -- from students to legislators -- would have to become more coherent if it were to achieve any political concessions.
"They need to pull together to create a viable coalition of stakeholders," said political analyst Willy Lam of the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
"They need to act together to lobby and negotiate with the (Hong Kong) administration and Beijing. That would also give the Hong Kong people the impression that they speak with one voice and are much more organised," said Lam.
Public support for the movement waned as the weeks of protests wore on and the campaign splintered in different directions.
Some in Admiralty Friday expressed their support for the police clearance action.
"I think it was correct because they broke the law," said one 46-year-old civil servant who gave his name as George.
But others expressed disappointment and the need for the movement to continue.
"I am so depressed it's gone," said Kim Lo, 34, who works in property.
"I think now we have to sit down and think what we want. We need to spread the message, to help the seed grow. I don't think we should go back on the streets yet."
AFP
Fri Dec 12 2014
Police swept through the Admiralty site Thursday, clearing the multi-lane highway and arresting more than 200 protesters. - AFP Photo
Kerajaan teliti kaedah baharu lantikan tetap, pastikan kewangan negara lebih mampan
Kerajaan sedang meneliti kaedah baharu lantikan tetap bagi memastikan pengurusan kewangan negara yang lebih mampan.
PDRM gerak unit skuba forensik, K9 cari telefon, rantai Nur Farah Kartini hari ini
Proses mencari bahan bukti akan dimulakan sekitar jam 9 pagi di kawasan parit berhampiran ladang kelapa sawit berkenaan.
Bangkai pesawat MH17 tanpa sayap imbau kekejaman tragedi menyayat hati
Keadaan serpihan pesawat MH17 Malaysia Airlines (MAS) yang cuba dibina semula tanpa sayap, tayar, ekor dan tempat duduk penumpang cukup menggerunkan sekali gus mengingatkan pada kekejaman yang meragut
VOP akan diselesaikan dalam tempoh sebulan - Ahmad
Pelaksanaan Syarat Perubahan Harga (VOP) susulan penyasaran subsidi diesel dijangka diselesaikan dalam tempoh sebulan lagi, kata Timbalan Menteri Kerja Raya Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan.
Industri minyak sawit disaran guna semula sisa untuk bahan api penerbangan mampan - Liew
Industri minyak sawit perlu mengkaji penggunaan semula sisa sebagai stok suapan penting untuk bahan api penerbangan mampan (SAF), di luar penggunaan tradisional minyak sawit.
SDG: UTP lahir pelajar berkemahiran, tinggi tanggungjawab sosial
UTP berhasrat mendidik pelajar bukan sahaja untuk mahir dalam aspek teknikal tetapi juga untuk menjadi warganegara yang bertanggungjawab.
MAA semak semula unjuran jualan kenderaan 2024 kepada 765,000 unit
Persatuan Automotif Malaysia (MAA) telah menyemak semula unjuran jualan kenderaan bermotor baharu bagi 2024 kepada 765,000 unit daripada anggaran sebelumnya sebanyak 740,000 unit.
RUU 355: Pindaan perlu untuk praktikaliti, keadilan
Apa sahaja pindaan terhadap akta itu perlu berjalan selari dengan persediaan mereka yang bertanggungjawab melaksanakannya.
Rasionalisasi RON95 dijangka beri impak lebih besar kepada PKS - SAMENTA
SAMENTA menjangkakan rasionalisasi RON95 akan memberi impak yang lebih besar kepada perusahaan kecil dan sederhana (PKS) berbanding pelarasan subsidi diesel.
Malaysia sasar pengeluaran 40 peratus sektor akuakultur menjelang 2030
Malaysia menyasarkan pengeluaran 40 peratus hasil sektor akuakultur menjelang 2030 dalam usaha membantu mengimbangi keperluan perikanan negara.