Updated — Wednesday, Dec. 3, 6:40 a.m.
The leaders of Hong Kong's pro-democracy protests and nearly 70 others surrendered to authorities on Wednesday. They said they were processed and released.
1/2 Benny Tai: we've been allowed to leave with no restrictions, not arrested. were presented with a special form
2/2 asked to tick from list of offences on custom form, including taking part in unauthorised assembly, incitement, criminal damage etc
BT - We still have to wait and see. We may still be arrested later and charged with more serious offence
They announced their intention to turn themselves in to police on Tuesday after urging student demonstrators to retreat.
1/2 OCLP founders Benny Tai, Chan Kin-man, Chu Yiu-ming to surrender at Central Police Station at 3 pm tomorrow
Benny Tai - for the sake of the safety of occupiers, we urge the students to retreat and take spirit of #umhk into the community
OCLP - surrender is not an act of cowardice, it is courage to bear responsibility, is not failure but denunciation of heartless government
The decision came after hundreds of demonstrators clashed with police Sunday in an attempt to surround government buildings, Reuters reported. At least 40 protesters were arrested, dealing a significant blow to the movement.
The scuffles broke out in the Admiralty financial district, as the protesters attempted to defy government orders to back down after two months of demonstrations.
Two student groups had urged their followers to escalate their campaign of civil disobedience, in the wake of the authorities clearing out a protest site in the Mong Kok district last week.
Many demonstrators tried to shield themselves from the pepper spray by using umbrellas, which have become a symbol of Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement.
The protesters are demanding Beijing allow free, unfettered elections in the former British colony, instead of prescreening candidates for the city's next leader.
Police turned back the protesters and prevented them from taking over government buildings, leaving the group reeling.
