Hong Kong to shut down last, smallest protest site

HONG KONG - Hong Kong police say they plan to clear out the third and final pro-democracy protest camp on Monday, putting an end to demonstrations that have blocked traffic in the southern Chinese city's streets for 2½ months.

Police spokesman Steve Hui said Saturday that police were giving the handful of protesters still occupying a short stretch of road in Causeway Bay enough time to pack up their belongings before they move in.

This past week, authorities shut down the protesters' main camp near the heart of the city's financial district and arrested 249 people who refused to leave for unlawful assembly.

The student-led protesters rejected Beijing's plan to screen all candidates in the first elections for the city's top leader, but failed to win significant concessions from the government.