School Pupils Ditch Classes To Hold Protest Rally

More than 200 children, many of them in their school uniforms, rallied in Central’s Chater Garden on Monday afternoon as they staged another class boycott in support of the city's anti-government movement.

They chanted slogans such as “Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our time” and “Five demands, not one less", and they stood up to sing the protest anthem "Glory to Hong Kong".

A form six student, who gave his surname as Chan, said he didn't think the action was likely to be effective in getting the government to meet the demands of protesters, but it was still something they had to do.

"Even though we may not be able to create a very big impact, I think we still have to come out because everyone counts. If you think your impact is not very important and you don't stand up because of this, then we will lose hope," he said.

Another form six student said they felt obliged to take a stand against social injustice.

He rejected claims by some government supporters that students are being incited to take part in the movement.

"If we don't treasure the time to voice out now, we will lose the chance forever," he said.

One of the organisers of the rally, Demosisto’s Isaac Cheng, said some students were also holding demonstrations at their schools.