Hong Kong protests seem to have run out of steam with police systematically dismantling a network of barricades and structures, amid quiet residual arrests on Thursday afternoon.
Those detained includedstudent leaders Martin Lee, founder of Hong Kong’s Democratic party; and Jimmy Lai, owner of the Apple Daily newspaper. Police also cleared a mini-township that had sustained protesters for more than two months.
The wrap-up was not unexpected, for the previous night thousands had gathered for a farewell to their assemblage of 75-days.
The protesters were demanding unbridled democracy, targeting the government’s plan to hold 2017 elections for the post of the Chief Executive from among candidates vetted by a pro-Beijing nominating committee.
