Hong Kong police started removing some of the barricades blocking entry to the main protest zone on Monday but said the action was intended to ease traffic congestion in the Asian financial hub and not a move to clear the demonstrators.
“Occupy” Hong Kong entered its 16th day on Monday with no sign that the students leading the peaceful civil disobedience movement were prepared to end their campaign for more political rights in the Chinese territory.
The number of protesters has dwindled over the past week – aside from a spike on Friday – but Harcourt Road, a crucial artery through the commercial district, has remained closed to traffic because of the student sit-in.