Crying for Freedom: 21 Photos Straight From Hong Kong

Kelsey Lucas /

Police tear gas, pepper spray and batons flooded the front of Hong Kong government headquarters Sunday afternoon as the authorities cracked down on thousands of protesters who refused to end their three-day rallies and street blockades across the city.

The pro-democracy demonstration expanded to unprecedented levels over the weekend. According to the Associated Press, the protests are led by mostly students and young adults who feel that “Beijing has failed to keep promises of greater democracy for the territory.” Beijing rejected a proposal that would allow open nominations for a 2017 leadership election (the first of its kind in Hong Kong) last month. Instead, all candidates will be picked by a panel mostly aligned with Beijing, AP reports.

>>> China’s Communists See Red When Hong Kong Demands Democracy

These photos take you into the streets and show the people of Hong Kong — those crying for freedom, and those trying to keep it away.

Hong Kong students fight for democracy

Hong Kong protests

Hong Kong protests

Hong Kong protests

FEATURE

Hong Kong Students Protest

Hong Kong Students Protest

Pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong

Hong Kong police clashes with Pro-democracy protesters

Hong Kong police fires tear gas at pro-democracy protesters

eyepress079846

eyepress079867

Hong Kong Students Protest

HONG KONG ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTEST

Hong Kong sees second day of mass protests for Occupy Hong Kong

Hong Kong students fight for democracy

eyepress079894

eyepress079904

eyepress079758

eyepress079852