HSBC wins court bid to kick out Occupy activists in Hong Kong

A judge ruled that the activists must leave by 9pm on August 27.

Occupy protesters have been living under the bank's headquarters since October last year, when protesters in Hong Kong joined others around the world in demonstrating against corporate excess and economic inequality.

About a dozen activists are still living in the large open space on the ground floor of the HSBC building which was occupied by more than 200 protesters at the height of the movement.

The activists have made themselves at home by setting up tents, tables, sofas and chairs, bookcases, lamps and gas cookers.

They have outlasted many other Occupy encampments around the world that have been shut down by authorities and their members have vowed not to budge.

"We've never asked for permission from the law, we've never asked for permission from the courts, we've never asked for permission from HSBC," said Occupy activist Nin Chan.

"From the very beginning we've never recognised these authorities as legitimate."

While HSBC owns the land, it's legally designated as a public passageway.

The judge ruled that the activists' use of the space goes beyond the land's designated use.

"We welcome the court ruling, and we look forward to the occupiers following the court order," said optimistic HSBC spokesman Gareth Hewett.

bill@peoples-press.com