New | Occupy Central to start October 1? Benny Tai drops 'grand banquet' hint
'We will set up a grand banquet in Central to fight for Hong Kong’s democracy,' says Tai
Occupy Central co-organiser Benny Tai Yiu-ting has dropped a strong hint that the pro-democracy sit-in will kick off on National Day, October 1, as rumoured.
Legal academic Tai wrote in Apple Daily that a “banquet” – the codename for the planned blockade of Central streets – would take place on the public holiday next Wednesday.
“While others are celebrating the big day of the country, we will set up a grand banquet in Central to fight for Hong Kong’s democracy,” he wrote.
“We welcome all pro-democracy supporters who are willing to devote themselves to this cause to join. You are more than welcome even if you only want to observe,” Tai added.
The pro-democracy movement is expected to rally thousands to camp out on the streets in protest at Beijing’s decision to rule out an open election of Hong Kong’s chief executive in 2017.
Last month the national parliament ruled that while Hongkongers could elect their leader by universal suffrage in 2017, the two or three candidates would have to win the support of half of a 1,200-stong committee to get on the ballot paper.