Talks To End Protests Not Possible: Joshua Wong

Demosisto leader Joshua Wong on Monday said there can't be any talks with the government to end the ongoing anti-extradition law protests, saying no political party or specific groups can claim to represent the people who have come out against the bill.

Wong, who was a key leader of the Occupy movement that saw students take over key areas of Hong Kong for 79 days five years ago, acknowledged that there is a section of people who think the protesters should end their actions for now while public support is with them.

But he said government should agree to their demand and withdraw the bill instead of looking to hold talks like they did during the 2104 protests, as that approach is outdated.

Wong said if the government had withdrawn the extradition bill completely instead of merely suspending it, the protests would not have started.

The Demosisto leader expressed hope that those affected won't blame them for the inconvenience caused, saying there are not many options available for people to put pressure on the government.

"It is not because activists or protesters love to organise or join different kinds of actions. It is because Hong Kong government ignored the voice of the people," he told RTHK's Janice Wong.

"It resulted in actions ... in the last few days and [may continue] in the next few weeks," Wong said.

Meanwhile, he called on people to join a protest organised by the Civil Human Rights Front this Wednesday ahead of the G20 summit in Osaka, to urge Beijing to further soften its stance and withdraw the amendments to the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance in Hong Kong.

The president of the Chinese University’s student union, Jacky So, also said student unions from different universities will continue to assist future protests, such as providing resources and helping protesters disseminate information.