No occupation of gov't offices despite HK leader's refusal to resign By Ryan Chua, ABS-CBN News Posted at 10/03/2014 8:07 AM

No occupation of gov't offices despite HK leader's refusal to resign

By Ryan Chua, ABS-CBN News

Posted at 10/03/2014 8:07 AM | Updated as of 10/03/2014 12:29 PM

Protesters block a section of an avenue in front of the office of Hong Kong's Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying in Hong Kong, October 3, 2014. Photo by, Carlos Barria, Reuters.

HONG KONG -- Pro-democracy protesters did not make good on their threat to occupy government offices despite Chief Executive CY Leung's refusal to resign and failure to respond to their demand for fully democratic elections in 2017.
The demonstrators, however, vowed to continue taking to the streets as the so-called Occupy Central protests entered their sixth day.
"We still want the protest to continue until we get what we want," said Jet Lao, a student.
Leung's statements drew mostly negative reactions from the crowd, who are demanding that the 2017 elections be free from mainland China's interference, aside from the chief executive's resignation.
In anger, some protesters attempted to occupy Lung Wo Road, which connects Hong Kong Island to Kowloon. But other protesters stopped them by forming human barricades in middle of the road, insisting that occupying it would cause massive traffic disruption and draw flak from the public.
The situation gave rise to heated and noisy arguments among the protesters.
For Steven Chan, who wanted to occupy Lung Wo Road, Leung's speech was meaningless.
"What he said is totally bullshit because he simply did not answer what we requested, and we are doing this because he did answer what we want," he said.
Leung said he will not resign because he needs to continue with the work of electoral reform in Hong Kong, and opened the door for dialogue with representatives of the protesters.
A meeting would be held after Saturday, according to reports.
Although the Occupy movement welcomed the possibiilty of a dialogue, they reiterated that Leung must step down.
Some protesters, meanwhile, want Leung to meet with the protesters in public and not just with a select group.
"We want to be part of the dialogue, not just hear the results," said Chris Chong.
Police stood on guard behind barricades at the entrance of the government headquarters in Admiralty, while protesters gathered en masse in front of the building as Leung was having a press conference.
Some protesters wore face masks and goggles in preparation for a possible attempt to disperse them, after police were seen stockpiling tear gas, rubber bullets, and other supplies on Thursday afternoon.
Authorities, on the other hand, were on alert against an announced occupation of the building. However, hours passed and no violent confrontation happened. The number of protesters on the streets also dwindled.
Some slept on the streets, while others went home, promising to come back.