Blame The Inconvenience On Govt, Say Protesters

Some young protesters who blocked the entrance of Revenue Tower on Monday said the government should be blamed for the inconvenience caused to the public as the non-cooperation action would not have occurred if officials had listened to demonstrators.

A 22-year-old student, who gave her name as Heidi, said it was the government who forced them to join the movement to voice out their concerns. If the government had been willing to listen to them, such movements would not exist, she said.

She added that she hopes people whose work was disrupted will be understanding of the protest.

Another student protester, Amy, agreed and said they had responded to a call on the internet to take part.

She also said this type of protest movement which does not have an identified central leadership has proven more effective. If the leaders stand out, the government will take action against them and so this is better, she said.

The peaceful protest was not to everyone's liking and some arguments broke out when people were stopped from entering the tower. "How can I get to work if you people block the way?" one civil servant asked the protesters.

But one man, who gave his name as Ali, said he didn't mind the disruption.

"Maybe I will wait for a while and go in later," he said. "They are also fighting for freedom and I am also a Hongkonger. So I really don't mind."

Rhea Bee, an Australian, had gone to Revenue Tower in Wan Chai to lodge her tax return. Despite the building's entrances being blocked by protesters, she said was not too bothered.

"Everybody here is peaceful and kind and respectful," she said. "It is a minor inconvenience."