Defiant protesters choke streets of HK

[HONG KONG] Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters poured back into the streets of Hong Kong, choking roads in three different points of the city to press demands for free and open elections and the resignation of Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying.

As darkness fell, the main protest area near the government's main office in the Admiralty district swelled with demonstrators, who blanketed the main road feeding the business district. Police were out in limited numbers and anti-riot officers were withdrawn after using 87 canisters of tear gas on Sunday to disperse crowds following violent clashes.

The demonstrations are threatening commerce in one of Asia's biggest financial centres as protesters demand that China give up plans to control the city's 2017 leadership election.