While mass demonstrations are bringing the streets of Hong Kong to a virtual standstill, the movement, dubbed the Umbrella Revolution has taken on a life of its own outside the city.
Solidarity rallies have sprung up internationally, driven by kids and young adults who are echoing the calls for democracy of those taking to the streets in Hong Kong.
Such groups mobilized in the United Kingdom on Wednesday evening, with reports of rallies in Manchester and London. Thousands blocked the streets outside the Chinese Embassy in London; organizers pegged the initial tally of participants at 3,000.
Protesters belted out their best rendition of “Under a Vast Sky” by the Hong Kong rock band Beyond, which has become one of the anthems of the movement.
In New York City's Times Square, people echoed these sentiments, belting out the same rock song driving the demonstrations in Hong Kong. Some held umbrellas in the air while others held yellow signs bearing messages of support in both English and Cantonese.
Demonstrations in Taiwan, which have largely been organized by students, have been ongoing for the past several days and are starting to pick up steam. On Monday, protesters staged a sit-in outside Hong Kong's trade office in Taipei, the capital of Taiwan. Large crowds turned out for large scale night rallies in the city's Liberty Square.
During the Liberty Square rally, around 4,000 people waved the bright screens of their smartphones overhead as they echoed the demands of the Umbrella Revolution.