Hong Kong's pro-democracy politicians want to 'occupy' its government


Hong Kong's student protesters have called for Leung Chun-ying, Hong Kong's Chief Executive, to resign, and government officials recently canceled a meeting with the Hong Kong Federation of Students. But 27 of Hong Kong's 35 elected legislators actually support the pro-democracy movement, and they're ready for their voices to be heard.
On Friday, Hong Kong police cleared a pro-democracy protest site in Mong Kok, a working-class neighborhood. After the police cleared the protesters, new clashes between protesters and police broke out on Friday. The protesters want a direct election in 2017, rather than having candidates screened by Beijing. And, just like the student protesters, these 27 politicians support universal suffrage and are ready to "occupy" the government, Quartz reports.
Even though the student protests have only recently brought Hong Kong's democracy struggle to the world's attention, these legislators have had democracy on their minds for years. When Beijing announced that Hong Kong citizens couldn't nominate chief executive candidates, lawmakers called Beijing's Hong Kong representative a "shameful" man who was "breaking a promise." And earlier this month, the pro-democracy legislators announced they would push the suffrage agenda by "enacting legislative roadblocks to many city projects," according to Quartz. They have the authority to block spending bills and delay sports stadiums, new roads, and school funding, all in the name of democracy.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
But while pro-democracy legislators hold a majority of Hong Kong's elected seats, there are still 35 legislators chosen by "special interest groups" that are often pro-Beijing, Quartz notes. The suffrage supporters are still a minority, and only two of Hong Kong's 18 legislative panels are run by pro-democracy lawmakers. Meanwhile, Leung Chun-Ying tried to smooth things over on Thursday by re-offering talks with students, which he says could happen as early as next week.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Meghan DeMaria is a staff writer at TheWeek.com. She has previously worked for USA Today and Marie Claire.
-
The WW2 ‘massacre’ dividing Senegal and France
Under the Radar A new investigation found the 1944 Thiaroye attack on ‘unarmed’ African soldiers was ‘premeditated’, and far deadlier than previously recorded
-
Political cartoons for October 22
Cartoons Wednesday's editorial cartoons include Donald Trump's construction at the White House, tariffs, and a new investment option
-
What is Donald Trump planning in Latin America?
Today’s Big Question US ramps up feud with Colombia over drug trade, while deploying military in the Caribbean to attack ships and increase tensions with Venezuela
-
Trump nominee in limbo after racist texts leak
Speed Read Paul Ingrassia lost Republican support following the exposure of past racist text messages
-
Trump begins East Wing demolition for ballroom
speed read The president’s new construction will cost $250 million
-
Appeals court clears Trump’s Portland troop deployment
Speed Read A divided federal appeals court ruled that President Trump can send the National Guard to Portland
-
Millions turn out for anti-Trump ‘No Kings’ rallies
Speed Read An estimated 7 million people participated, 2 million more than at the first ‘No Kings’ protest in June
-
DOJ indicts John Bolton over classified files
Speed Read Continuing the trend of going after his political enemies, Trump prosecutes his former national security adviser
-
Trump, Putin set summit as Zelenskyy lands in DC
Speed Read Trump and Putin have agreed to meet in Budapest soon to discuss ending the war in Ukraine
-
Courts deal setbacks to Trump’s Chicago operations
Speed Read President Donald Trump cannot deploy the National Guard in Illinois
-
Pentagon reporters turn in badges after refusing rules
Speed Read They refused to sign a restrictive new press policy imposed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth