In pictures: Clashes erupt as Hong Kong protests widen

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  Pro-democracy protesters rally near the government headquarters in Hong Kong in a dramatic escalation of protests that has gripped the semi-autonomous Chinese city for days. Alex Ogle/AFP Photo

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  Protesters disperse as riot police fire tear gas. Bobby Yip/Reuters

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  Riot police use pepper spray against protesters after thousands of people block a main road. Vincent Yu/AP Photo

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  Protesters clash with riot police. Anthony Kwan/Getty Images

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  Pro-democracy demonstrators say that China is reneging on its promise to maintain the city’s independence under its “one country, two systems” pledge agreed when British colonial rule ended almost 20 years ago. Tyrone Siu/Reuters

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  The showdown was spurred by Beijing’s decision in August that candidates for the 2017 election of chief executive, the city’s leader, be vetted by a committee. Alex Ogle/AFP Photo

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  The protests initiated by student groups on September 26 spread after leaders of Occupy Central brought forward plans for their mass sit-in, aimed at paralysing the city’s business district. Jerome Favre/EPA

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  Occupy had signalled that it would hold its protest on October 1, a holiday marking Chinese national day, before changing course when thousands took to the street to support the student-led demonstrations outside the main government building. Lam Yik Fei/Bloomberg

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  Rounds of tear gas failed to deter protesters who faced off against police in riot gear with shields. Vincent Yu/ AP Photo

Hong Kong police lobbed canisters of tear gas into the crowd on Sunday evening after spending hours holding the protesters at bay. The searing fumes from tear gas sent demonstrators fleeing down the road, but many came right back to continue their demonstration.