Protest leaders surrender

Leaders of the pro-democracy protest movement in Hong Kong called for students to retreat from demonstration sites and said they would be surrendering to police on Wednesday.

Protest leader and law professor Benny Tai.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) PRO-DEMOCRACY LEADER BENNY TAI SAYING:

"Civil disobedience is about breaking the law in a limited way through peaceful non violent means to fight for justice. As it is not the goal of civil disobedience to damage the rule of law, those engaging it must have the courage to bear the legal consequences. The free initiators of OCLP and some of our supporters have decided to surrender to police tomorrow, December 3rd."

The announcement comes after more than two months of occupation by demonstrators in the city's business districts and in front of government offices.

The often violent clashes with police came to a head again on Monday as police attempted to clear protesters who pushed back against riot gear clad officers.