DHAKA: Thousands of Hong Kong students will begin a week-long boycott of classes on Monday, the start of what democracy activists say will be a wider campaign of civil disobedience against Beijing’s refusal to grant the city full universal suffrage.

China dashed hopes last month for full and unfettered democracy in the former British colony when it announced plans to vet nominees who want to stand as its next leader.

A coalition of pro-democracy groups, led by Occupy Central, have labeled Beijing’s restrictions a ‘fake democracy’ and have vowed a series of actions including a blockade of the city’s financial district.

Laying the groundwork for what activists call ‘a new era of civil disobedience’, thousands of students from more than 25 universities and colleges will take part in the week-long strike from Monday to voice their anger.

The strike could breathe new life into the democracy campaign, which recently lost some steam after its senior leaders conceded that Beijing was highly unlikely to change its mind whatever they do.

BDST: 1156 HRS, SEP 21, 2014