Live Updates: Hong Kong Protesters Stay Put as China Refuses to Back Down

Protesters are continuing to flood the streets of Hong Kong as the pro-democracy demonstrations enter a pivotal day, Oct. 1, the beginning of a two-day national holiday to celebrate the People's Republic of China. The activists of Occupy Central (also known as the Umbrella Revolution) had set Wednesday as the deadline for the government to meet their demands for free elections in 2017.

But Hong Kong's leader said Tuesday that China wouldn't back down from its decision to have candidates screened by a Beijing-friendly panel. That means the protesters are likely to stay out in full force, with no easy resolution in sight. But the atmosphere on the streets has been calm of late.

Watch a livestream from HK Apple Daily:

Mashable is covering the pro-democracy protests live. Stay tuned for updates. See yesterday's coverage here:

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Live Updates: Hong Kong's Pro-Democracy Protests

Mashable covers Hong Kong's rapidly expanding pro-democracy protests.

Storified by Mashable· Tue, Sep 30 2014 15:55:08

Sep 30 2014 11:53 AM EDT / Tiffany Ap

HONG KONG —

Admiralty is overcrowded and there are local news reports of people fainting. The crowd stretches out to Ice House Street and Chater Road where Occupy was originally scheduled to be. Many luxury retailers closed early and Mandarin Oriental is blocked off on one side.

Admiralty 'full' - protesters encouraged to go to other Hong Kong sites

Sep 30 2014 11:16 AM EDT / Megan Specia

Demonstrations saw no signs of waning as midnight approached in Hong Kong, with reports that the Admiralty demonstration site, located across from the Government Offices, was at capacity. Protesters were urging those wishing to participate to go elsewhere in the city.

Despite the large scale, only a few minor police incidents have been reported. In one isolated event, several protesters entered a private car park before being asked to leave by police. The overwhelming report from those on the ground was that a calm atmosphere prevailed.

Some protesters at Nathan Road hold up banners to remind others to keep calm. http://t.co/ww6Rb5WbljVarsity CUHK

Meanwhile, a red star atop the People's Liberation Army's HQ in Hong Kong's Central district was illuminated for the first time in months, with some calling it a deliberate provocation of the protesters gathered in the area.

At PLA HQ, the red star is shining very bright tonight #occupyhk #OccupyCentral @SCMP_News http://t.co/4ppjIY7i5QDanny Lee 李嘉洪

The lights have gone on at the PLA building in Tamar. The red star is also lit. First time in at least two months. http://t.co/UuCEnmCF8QLeo Weese 狮草地

Most other buildings have turned their lights off by now as you can see. An unnecessary and provocative sign of power. #OccupyCentralLeo Weese 狮草地

Protest sites grow despite downpour

Sep 30 2014 9:37 AM EDT / Megan Specia

Protest sites in Hong Kong grew as demonstrators prepared for a two-day national holiday, despite a thunderstorm and soaking rain pounding down on protesters on Tuesday evening. Demonstrators flowed into the Mong Kok area, and families were reportedly adding to the growing ranks of protesters, which had been dominated by students and young adults.

Protests in Mongkok are getting bigger by the minute, with more people- entire families -pouring in #OccupyHongKong http://t.co/7ioneludzQAlisha H.

Incredible photograph just filed by @LamYikFei for @BloombergPhotos of lightning over #HongKongProtests http://t.co/K50GD4KPJlScott Eells

Barricades grew outside government offices at the Admiralty protest site, which has been the center of the demonstrations in the city. Despite the growing numbers and heavy police presence, the situation on the ground was calm heading into Tuesday night. As reported by Bettina Wassener in Hong Kong, "A steady stream of people is still heading to the demo. Temperatures have cooled down a bit thanks to a big thunderstorm. Quite pleasant now."

Away from the crowds work continues on the barricades. #OccupyCentral http://t.co/BAzDTZAd6qAndrew Leyden

Foreign diplomats told to stay away by Beijing

Sep 30 2014 7:40 AM EDT / Brian Ries

Beijing has reportedly advised foreign diplomats to steer clear of the Hong Kong protest sites.

The Harbor Times is reporting that China's foreign ministry sent a letter to consulates in the former British colony that warns of "radical groups in Hong Kong" who are "staging illegal activities of assembly." It says "some acts of violence and legal offenses have occured as a result."

It continues: "To ensure the safety of all consular personnel and foreign nationals living in Hong Kong, we hope all Consulates-General in Hong Kong will strictly abide by the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and relevant local laws and regulations of Hong Kong, restrain the behaviors of its consular staffs, and advise its nationals living in Hong Kong to stay away from the sites of assembly and 'Occupy Central,' so as to avoid violating the law and affecting their own safety and interests."

China warns foreign diplomats in Hong Kong to ‘stay away’ from Occupy Central http://t.co/YY83UjdFQkSCMP News

There have been very few reports of violence that was sparked by protesters, but some foreign governments have warned its nationals to stay away from Hong Kong as of this time, including Britain, Australia, Italy, Japan and the U.S.

Japanese Consulate-General Hong Kong advised Japanese nationals in HK not to reach protest sites for safety concerns http://t.co/AGREz37H8bGeorge Chen

“Many of my colleagues were very surprised to receive such a letter,” one diplomat told the South China Morning Post, speaking on the condition of anonymity. The Russian Consulate General also confirmed to the Post that it had received the letter.

U.S. Press Secretary Josh Earnest said on Monday that the United States is watching Hong Kong closely, and that it supports internationally recognized rights such as the freedom of peaceful assembly and the freedom of expression. "The United States urges the Hong Kong authorities to exercise restraint and for protestors to express their views peacefully," Earnest said in an unmistakable warning to officials there to avoid a crackdown.

The U.S. consulate in Hong Kong said in a statement on Monday that it doesn't take sides on the issue.

US Consulate-General Hong Kong statement: US Gov supports freedom but doesn't take sides on HK political development http://t.co/aoBvIif2RhGeorge Chen

Hong Kong's leader won't step down

Sep 30 2014 7:33 AM EDT / The Associated Press

HONG KONG — Hong Kong's leader said Tuesday that China won't back down from its decision to limit voting reforms in the Asian financial hub, dashing hopes that the standoff between demonstrators and authorities could be resolved quickly through negotiations.

Hong kong #OccupyCentral protesters hold up a giant head of Leung Chun-ying. http://t.co/kNa16mOcmVHamidullah Babu

As pro-democracy protests that have blocked Hong Kong's streets entered a fifth day, the unequivocal statement from Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying does not come as a surprise. Showing a willingness to talk would have made the Chinese leadership in Beijing appear weak, which could embolden dissidents and separatists on the mainland.

Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying addresses a press conference after his maiden policy address in Hong Kong on January 16, 2013. Hong Kong's China-backed leader plans to tackle the city's housing crisis in a policy speech aimed at soothing anger following a series of mass protests urging him to quit. AFP PHOTO / Philippe Lopez (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/Getty Images)PHILIPPE LOPEZ

Leung, a Beijing appointee who is deeply mistrusted by the people, said that mainland communist leaders would not reverse their August decision requiring a pro-Beijing panel to screen candidates in the territory's first direct elections, scheduled for 2017.

"The central government will not rescind its decision," said Leung, adding that he wouldn't step down before then — rejecting one of the protesters' demands.

Protesters Set Wednesday Deadline for Demands

Sep 30 2014 1:13 AM EDT/ Brittany Levine

Protesters set Wednesday as the deadline for government officials to meet their demands for reforms, including genuine democracy and for Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying to resign.

If their demands aren't met, they warned of new civil disobedience plans. Wednesday is a holiday for China's National Day, and even larger crowds are expected to flood the streets, according to the Associated Press.

Hong Kong Protesters Set Deadline for Government to Meet DemandsHONG KONG - Pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong set a Wednesday deadline for a response from the government to meet their demands for reforms after spending another night blocking streets in an unprecedented show of civil disobedience. A brief statement from the Occupy Central civil disobedience movement said it had set an Oct.

Hong Kong Leader Demands Protests End

Sep 30 2014 12:21 AM EDT/ Brittany Levine

Speaking publicly for the first time on Tuesday local time, Hong Kong's Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying called on Occupy Central protesters to halt their demonstrations, according to Agence France-Presse.

"Occupy Central founders had said repeatedly that if the movement is getting out of control, they would call for it to stop. I'm now asking them to fulfill the promise they made to society, and stop this campaign immediately," Leung said, the news agency reported.

#UPDATES #HongKong Chief executive Leung Chun-ying asked Occupy Central founders to "stop this campaign immediately" http://t.co/DYpvXeC8dvAgence France-Presse

Leung also said he believed the protests will be long lasting and its impact on Hong Kong's safety, international image and economic development will increase, according to the South China Morning Post.

Occupy Central leaders ignored his plea, instead resuming demands for his resignation. They also asked for a meeting with the government head.

If CY Leung really wanted to defuse the situation, he would agree to meet. What's so hard about that?Occupy Central 和平佔中

Protest leaders demand that Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying come down and face protesters by midnight. http://t.co/oqLBJ3QucWAlan Wong

Meanwhile, the protests continued, but some areas were more crowded than others, according to reports from the ground.

A lot of people at Argyle Road, but only a fraction of yesterday evening. Cars, incl police van have disappeared too. http://t.co/Cfjapm1GIRLeo Weese 狮草地

Mong Kok Road still blocked. People building barriers against the sun now instead of police. #OccupyCentral http://t.co/PuV44I5GrtLeo Weese 狮草地

#Gloucester Rd - busiest road on #HongKong Island - still traffic-less #OccupyHK #HongKong #WanChai http://t.co/M1WDII34LiYoung Post

In some parts of the area known as Central, though, life continued as usual.

In parts of Central life continues as normal http://t.co/0Xo4fRzBagRichard Frost

Montage of Protest Pictures Set to Rihanna's 'Umbrella'

Sep 29 2014 10:29 PM EDT/ Brittany Levine

A 13-second montage of pictures from the Hong Kong protests set to Rihanna's hit song "Umbrella" has been circulating social media. The protests near government headquarters have been dubbed the "Umbrella Revolution" as demonstrators are using umbrellas as protection from the pepper spray and tear gas let loose by riot police.

#UmbrellaRevolution Music: Rihanna - Umbrellapoonhoyin

The montage was made using Flipagram, an app that lets users show pictures set to music.

Car Ploughs Through Protesters

Sep 29 2014 9:49 PM EDT/ Brittany Levine

Protesters and police jumped for cover as a car sped through the crowd gathered on Argyle Street early Tuesday morning, according to The South China Morning Post. No injuries have been reported, and the 59-year-old driver who jumped from the Mercedes-Benz and fled the scene, has since been arrested. Protesters have reinforced barricades in the area.

Drama as car driven at demonstrators ahead of third day of Hong Kong protests http://t.co/sYYHkEWJe6SCMP News

Sunrise in Hong Kong

Sept. 29, 7:38 p.m. EDT / Brian Ries, Kate Sommers-Dawes

It's morning in Hong Kong and the sun is rising over a sea of protesters, many wearing black.

#sunrise - students digging in & still camped out. Most now wearing black #hkstudentstrike #Occupycentral http://t.co/zXpcQTsToMSarah Clarke

The Twitter account for Occupy Central, one of the protest's organizers, says all three occupation sites made it through the night.

Daybreak in HK & it appears all three main protest areas have made it safely through the night. Any conflicting reports?Occupy Central 和平佔中

As the sun rose, so did the images of students sleeping in the streets of Hong Kong.

According to tweets from the scene, demonstrators were waking and picking up litter. Some were dispersing, vowing to return later in the day.

Tweets from Occupy Central also indicated that protesters were concerned police might attempt to forcibly disperse the crowd if its numbers diminished to a "manageable" size. Demonstrators held signs urging others to stay until the 8 a.m. "shift" of protesters arrived. (At time of writing, it was 7:38 a.m. local time on Sept. 30.)

Good morning, World, RT @tomgrundy: Day breaking. 1000s sleeping, litter picking. Many leaving b/ vowing to return http://t.co/HA4b2CCVANYing Chan

Must-do in Hong Kong - sleeping outside a luxury store #OccupyCentral http://t.co/yxVqJbWUyi http://t.co/3aB0XORzogJacky Wong

Despite rumours of police moving in, #Occupycentral peaceful in Admiralty as sun rises. https://t.co/1IiGFgte4jTom Grundy

Occupy Central isn't actually in Central

Sep 29 2014 6:07 PM EDT / LC Leong

HONG KONG — They call it Occupy Central.

But just like Occupy Wall Street, which was actually a few streets away in Zuccotti Park, it’s not actually in Central (for the most part).

That has to do with its somewhat haphazard start. Students who are not part of the Occupy Central with Love and Peace movement first started protesting on Friday in Admiralty, a neighborhood just east of Central and a major office hub, in front of Legco headquarters. In the early hours of Sunday morning, Occupy Central leaders who originally planned to start its protest on Oct 1 National Day in Chater Garden which is in Central, said they would join the students.

Admiralty, Hong Kong at 12 am, September 30 @ABSCBNNews http://t.co/zTqMFyEihARyan Edward Chua 蔡曼中

In the late hours of Sunday night, protestors moved east towards Causeway Bay and then across the harbor to Mongkok, Kowloon side, a 30 minute subway ride away, which took many people by surprise — a New York City equivalent would be a protest in West Village, then splintering crowds popping up in Williamsburg.

Occupy Hong Kongjerome taylor

Sunday was marked by several face-offs against police around the city in smaller groups. However, as Hong Kong closed out Monday, people convened in the thousands and tens of thousands at three main protest sites: Admiralty, Causeway Bay, and Mongkok.

Aerial shot of protesters in Hong Kong as they continue to defy police http://t.co/NGK8FubSo8David Wyllie

The vibe Monday night was incredibly calm, a stark difference to yesterday's angry clashes with police, with barely a cop in sight. The crowd, meanwhile, is extremely young — many of them high schoolers.

More than 1.3m tweets so far

Sep 29 2014 5:50 PM EDT / Brian Ries

Twitter's Simon Rogers says there have been more than 1.3 million tweets related to the Hong Kong protests, since Sept. 26.

#HongKong protests: more than 1.3m Tweets so far

LINK: http://t.co/X2PePwayAM http://t.co/XS1EzdiFMWSimon Rogers

Mesmerizing drone footage reveals the size of the crowd

Sep 29 2014 3:41 PM EDT / Brian Ries

A drone captured the scale of the crowd making its way through Hong Kong's business district. The video, posted to Facebook by Nero Chan, isn't the first we've seen that was shot from a drone. The first, posted by Apple Daily, was accompanied by raging techno music and showed Sunday night's demonstration.

The new video, however, is far more mesmerizing. The music's better, too. Watch it:

Drone Shows Thousands Filling Hong Kong Streetsstoryful

Demonstrators mind their manners

Sep 29 2014 2:31 PM EDT / Bettina Wassener

HONG KONG — The demonstrators in Hong Kong must be among the most polite ever: volunteers handing out free water, or offering information and a helping hand to anyone wanting to cross the street-side railings that sporadically block the way.

snacks being brought for Hong Kong protesters at 2 am http://t.co/y4JeuP5y1nRichard Frost

Large stockpiles of food, water, face masks, umbrellas and toilet paper – donated by sympathetic residents – are everywhere. The umbrellas and anti-tear-gas goggles were not needed on Monday, but water and plastic fans came in handy in the heat.

Bottles of water to be distributed to protesters http://t.co/xG31YmWEnyVarsity CUHK

Also everywhere: garbage bags and recycling points. They are trying hard to keep the whole site clean.

White House weighs in

Sep 29 2014 2:21 PM EDT / Brian Ries

The White House says it is monitoring the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong and has urged the authorities there to show "restraint."

The White House urges Hong Kong authorities to show 'restraint' amid escalating pro-democracy protestsStephen Collinson

The U.S. government is closely watching the situation in Hong Kong," Press Secretary Josh Earnest said on Monday. "The U.S. urges the Hong Kong authorities to exercise restraint and for protestors to express their views peacefully."

US monitoring protests in Hong Kong, says @PressSec. Says US supports freedom of expression and peaceful assembly for people of HK.Mark Knoller

"The United States supports universal suffrage in Hong Kong in accordance with the Basic Law and we support the aspirations of the Hong Kong people," he said.

'Keep off the grass'

Sep 29 2014 11:53 AM EDT / Brian Ries

Hong Kong protesters are following instructions to keep off the grass at the city's war memorial — some have shared images on Twitter & Imgur.

Imgur

Hong Kong protesters obey signs to keep off the grass at colonial war memorial modelled on the Cenotaph http://t.co/be6ZSFfBJCRichard Frost

What you need to know...

Sep 29 2014 11:00 AM EDT / Mashable

Mashable's Jenni Ryall put together this handy explainer of the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong. It explains what demonstrators are fighting for, how the confrontation escalated, the meaning of "Occupy Central," and what happens next.

Hong Kong Protests: What You Need to Know About the Umbrella RevolutionTens of thousands of protesters blockaded the streets of Hong Kong over the weekend to fight for democracy, shielding themselves from tear gas and pepper spray with surgical masks, goggles and umbrellas. The protest began peacefully on Wednesday but turned violent on Friday after police used batons and pepper spray to try to disperse the activists.

Police hold back

Sep 29 2014 10:40 AM EDT / The Associated Press

HONG KONG — Hong Kong's police on Monday defended their use of tear gas and other tactics to control protests that have paralyzed the city's financial district, appealing to the thousands gathered to demand more democracy to stop the unprecedented mass act of civil disobedience for the sake of safety and stability.

Police fire tear gas at demonstrators during a protest near central government offices in Hong Kong, China, on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014. Pro-democracy protesters kick-started their campaign to occupy central Hong Kong after police clashed with students, demanding that China withdraws proposals to control the citys elections. Photographer: Lam Yik Fei/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesBloomberg

Police said they used 87 rounds of tear gas on Sunday in what they said was a necessary but restrained response to protesters' efforts to push through cordons and barricades. They said 41 people were injured, including 12 police officers.

"Police cordon lines were heavily charged, by some violent protesters. So police had to use the minimum force in order to separate the distance at that moment between the protesters and also the police," Cheung Tak-keung, the assistant police commissioner for operations, told reporters Monday.

A pro-democracy demonstrator gestures after police fired tear gas towards protesters near the Hong Kong government headquarters on September 28, 2014. Police fired tear gas as tens of thousands of pro-democracy demonstrators brought parts of central Hong Kong to a standstill on September 28, in a dramatic escalation of protests that have gripped the semi-autonomous Chinese city for days. AFP PHOTO / XAUME OLLEROS (Photo credit should read XAUME OLLEROS/AFP/Getty Images)XAUME OLLEROS

In a shift of tactics Monday, uniformed police manned barricades and looked on, preventing access to some buildings, but otherwise not intervening.

From Ferguson, with love

Sep 29 2014 8:16 AM EDT / Amanda Wills

FERGUSON, Missouri — Along with signs dedicated to Mike Brown, protesters in Ferguson on Sunday night also had banners of support for Hong Kong, where political demonstrations have turned the city into a scene of tear gas-fueled clashes.

Heather, a #Ferguson protester, wearing a sign that says "Stay strong #HongKong." http://t.co/9CnqFfERfLAmanda Wills

The signs, which read "Stay Strong" and "Hands Up! Don't Shoot!" in both English and traditional Chinese, were created by Keith Rose, who has been protesting in Ferguson since Aug. 11. Though Rose has been tear-gassed, arrested and even had a seizure while marching, the protests have cost him much more: his relationship with his best friend, who is from Guangzhou.

#Ferguson + #HongKong = #BikeForJustice http://t.co/8O2unzOLKfBridjes O'Neil

When Rose first started protesting after police shot and killed Mike Brown, he says his friend, who was born shortly after Tiananmen Square and speaks a minority language of that area, didn't agree with the march because he said Rose "didn't understand true oppression."

Printing signs in Chinese for #Ferguson protestors to send love to #HongKong tonight! http://t.co/7W2yaGOYZiKeith Rose

"He said we had it so good here and didn't agree with the protests," Rose said, as we stood behind a crowd of protesters who chanted in front of the Ferguson Police station. Some of the protesters carried the signs that Rose had printed just hours earlier.