What about all of the pro-Beijing demonstrators being bused in by China? Oh, it is China so I guess that doesn't count as "external forces," does it?

Friday night in Mongkok. (with English subtitles) http://vimeo.com/109305792?from=outro-embed

Of Course CY Leung isn't referring to Chinese meddling (i.e., busing in large numbers of pro-Beijing protesters to block the distribution of the Apple Daily, or to clash with pro-democracy protesters in Mongkok).

Some new bracelets.

This article, summarizing some of the art being produced in HK as part of the Umbrella Movement, hopefully will put to rest the myth (believed by too may in HK) that there is no art in HK.

http://artradarjournal.com/2014/10/10/occupy-central-hong-kong-streets-art-galleries/

The voice of the people in Admiralty.

Opinions of three ordinary women of various generations (but none students) and why they are supporting the students in HK. (with English subtitles)

The reference to Mao's 1942 speech to artists should not be taken lightly. Is Xi Jinping preparing for a major crackdown on members of the creative sector in the name of Communist ideology? Mao used this tactic over and over again to silence his critics and gain absolute control over the media and artistic production. Read about what life was like for artists in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s in China. Discover how many of China's greatest artists were arrested, put under house arrest, lost any ability to make a living, with some of them even starving to death, all i...Read more

Prestigious foreign correspondent detained by HK police while she was covering the situation with police and protesters in Mongkok. She was a war correspondent in Afghanistan. I guess the police don't know who they are dealing with. She is with Getty Images, a big player internationally. It is moves like this that encourages the foreign press corps to focus even more attention on Hong Kong.

Excerpts from a fascinating New York Times article on the relationship of Hong Kong's government to the leadership in China and how China is orchestrating every move the Hong Kong government makes.

According to interviews with six current and former Hong Kong and Chinese government officials, as well as experts in both countries, it is China’s leaders more than Hong Kong’s who have directed the broad outlines of the response here. With China’s needs foremost in mind, they have calibrated a careful balance between a steadfast refusal to give ground on the...Read more