Hong Kong protesters denounce the Chinese government on August 31, 2014, after Beijing announced candidates for Hong Kong's next leader must be approved by a Beijing-backed committee.
August 31: Protesters denounce China's ruling —
Hong Kong protesters denounce the Chinese government on August 31, 2014, after Beijing announced candidates for Hong Kong's next leader must be approved by a Beijing-backed committee.
Lam Yik Fei/Getty Images
Hong Kong protesters say the Chinese government's proposal breaks the promise of full universal suffrage for Hong Kong, as agreed upon in 1997 when the British handed Hong Kong back to China.
August 31: Protesters denounce China's ruling —
Hong Kong protesters say the Chinese government's proposal breaks the promise of full universal suffrage for Hong Kong, as agreed upon in 1997 when the British handed Hong Kong back to China.
Lam Yik Fei/Getty Images)
Police ready for demonstrations on August 31, 2014, following an announcement from Beijing that Hong Kong will not have fully open elections.
August 31: Protesters denounce China's ruling —
Police ready for demonstrations on August 31, 2014, following an announcement from Beijing that Hong Kong will not have fully open elections.
Tens of thousands of people marched through Hong Kong on Sunday, August 17 in support of China and to protest Occupy Central, a pro-democracy movement that says it will plan to stage a civil disobedience sit-in unless the Chinese government allows the Hong Kong public to nominate and vote for its next leader.
August 17: Anti-Occupy Central march —
Tens of thousands of people marched through Hong Kong on Sunday, August 17 in support of China and to protest Occupy Central, a pro-democracy movement that says it will plan to stage a civil disobedience sit-in unless the Chinese government allows the Hong Kong public to nominate and vote for its next leader.
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A group of pro-China protesters marches in downtown Hong Kong on August 17. Local media accused organizers of paying people to participate in the Anti-Occupy Central protest.
August 17: Anti-Occupy Central march —
A group of pro-China protesters marches in downtown Hong Kong on August 17. Local media accused organizers of paying people to participate in the Anti-Occupy Central protest.
Lam Yik Fei/Getty Images
Tens of thousands of demonstrators marched during a pro-democracy rally in Hong Kong on Tuesday, July 1, to express frustration over the influence of Beijing on the city. More than 500 people were arrested during a sit-in after the march.
July 1: Rally draws mass crowds —
Tens of thousands of demonstrators marched during a pro-democracy rally in Hong Kong on Tuesday, July 1, to express frustration over the influence of Beijing on the city. More than 500 people were arrested during a sit-in after the march.
PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/Getty
Demonstrators staged a sit-in on Chater Road in Central district after the march.
July 1: Rally draws mass crowds —
Demonstrators staged a sit-in on Chater Road in Central district after the march.
PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/Getty
Policemen began clearing out protesters from the sit-in after midnight.
July 1: Rally draws mass crowds —
Policemen began clearing out protesters from the sit-in after midnight.
PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/Getty
Demonstrators lingered in Central district the night after the march.
July 1: Rally draws mass crowds —
Demonstrators lingered in Central district the night after the march.
PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/Getty
Protesters hold props as they marched on a street during the annual pro-democracy protest.
July 1: Rally draws mass crowds —
Protesters hold props as they marched on a street during the annual pro-democracy protest.
PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/Getty
Organizers said 510,000 demonstrators marched, while police counted 98,000 people.
July 1: Rally draws mass crowds —
Organizers said 510,000 demonstrators marched, while police counted 98,000 people.
PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/Getty Images
During the march, Joshua Wong, 17, the founder of pro-democracy student group Scholarism, announced he would stage an illegal sit-in on the night of July 1. "I may get arrested tonight. Will you all support me?" he yelled to the crowd.
July 1: Rally draws mass crowds —
During the march, Joshua Wong, 17, the founder of pro-democracy student group Scholarism, announced he would stage an illegal sit-in on the night of July 1. "I may get arrested tonight. Will you all support me?" he yelled to the crowd.
Wilfred Chan/CNN
A river of protesters, wearing white T-shirts to show their support for democracy, flowed through Hong Kong's Causeway Bay. Police counted more than 98,000 participants.
July 1: Rally draws mass crowds —
A river of protesters, wearing white T-shirts to show their support for democracy, flowed through Hong Kong's Causeway Bay. Police counted more than 98,000 participants.
Wilfred Chan/CNN
Demonstrators walked through downtown Hong Kong.
July 1: Rally draws mass crowds —
Demonstrators walked through downtown Hong Kong.
PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/Getty Images
Rain poured down upon protesters intermittently throughout the day.
July 1: Rally draws mass crowds —
Rain poured down upon protesters intermittently throughout the day.
Vincent Yu/AP
As rain begins to come down on the protesters, umbrellas fly open.
July 1: Rally draws mass crowds —
As rain begins to come down on the protesters, umbrellas fly open.
Wilfred Chan/CNN
Policemen stood guard in front of a store in the Central district of Hong Kong during the rally.
July 1: Rally draws mass crowds —
Policemen stood guard in front of a store in the Central district of Hong Kong during the rally.
PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/Getty Images
Tens of thousands of people gathered in Hong Kong's Victoria Park before the march begins.
July 1: Rally draws mass crowds —
Tens of thousands of people gathered in Hong Kong's Victoria Park before the march begins.
Kin Cheung/AP