Wall Street fury for HK

Wall Street fury for HK

Alice So and Mary Ann Benitez

Friday, October 14, 2011

The anti-establishment Occupy Wall Street movement has spilled over into Hong Kong with internet calls for protesters to occupy Central tomorrow.
Called "Occupy Hong Kong" - with at least three Facebook accounts set up by individuals - the rally will be held from 2pm at the fountain near Exchange Square.

Hong Kong is among 719 locations in 71 countries where protesters, angered by an economic crisis they blame on politicians and bankers, will take to the streets tomorrow in response to an internet call by United for Global Change.

Many of the 1,000 local Facebook fans think the call was inspired by Occupy Wall Street, which has seen some 2,000 people camp out at a Manhattan park since last month.


But United was born on May 15 at a rally in Madrid's central square, sparking a movement that spread across Spain before inspiring other countries and leading to the New York City action.

Facebook user Wong Ka- man wrote: "We are the 99 percent! Each money-making strategy is launched by another, but only 1 percent will benefit! Ain't you fed up?"

And Abyss Yau wrote: "Everyone in Lion Rock sells their labor, with their youth, blood and sweat to earn a meager reward. Sometimes even [forfeiting] the dignity of life."

On the microblogging site Weibo, the issue attracted 479 users. Wrote one: "The local movement may not be on the same scale as the US one, but it is an important platform to explore the possibilities of further anti-capitalist campaigns."

United will organize discussions at the event to collect public opinion on "financial hegemony."