Occupy Leaders Await Trial Fate

Nine leading figures from the 2014 Occupy movement are to hear the verdicts in their public nuisance trial on Tuesday morning.

Large crowds of journalists and supporters of the nine defendants gathered outside West Kowloon Magistrates Court in the hours ahead of the hearing, with many queuing for hours to secure a seat.

The defendants and their supporters chanted slogans and displayed banners outside the court.

The hearing was expected to start at 9.30am, but the judge said there would be a delay of one hour as he needed time to prepare some documents.

Occupy co-founder Chan Kin-man said he had no regrets about what he had done and still believed in love and peace. His fellow co-founder Benny Tai said many people would continue to strive for democracy no matter what happened.

Their fellow co-founder, Reverend Chu Yiu-ming, said prayers along with Cardinal Joseph Zen before the trial

Lawmaker Tanya Chan held back tears as she thanked her legal team and her mother.

Supporters applauded as the nine walked into the court.

The defendants are Tai, Chan and Chu, student leaders Tommy Cheung and Eason Chung, Chan and fellow lawmaker Shiu Ka-chun, former lawmaker Lee Wing-tat and activist Raphael Wong.

All nine pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit public nuisance, as well as incitement to commit public nuisance, and incitement to incite public nuisance at their 20-day District Court trial in November.

______________________________