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10 dramatic photos that show the protests and crackdown in Hong Kong

Andrew Prokop is a senior politics correspondent at Vox, covering the White House, elections, and political scandals and investigations. He’s worked at Vox since the site’s launch in 2014, and before that, he worked as a research assistant at the New Yorker’s Washington, DC, bureau.

1) Demonstrators are protesting China's plan for Hong Kong's 2017 elections

The elections will be less democratic than Beijing had earlier promised. On September 24, the student-led pro-democracy protesters moved to Hong Kong's financial district, Central.

Hong Kong protests 9/24

(Xaume Olleros / AFP / Getty)

2) On Friday, protesters moved into the areas just outside of some government offices

The protesters are led by a group called Occupy Central. Here they are on Saturday facing off with police near Government House, the official residence of Hong Kong's chief executive.

Hong Kong 9-27 protesters

(Lam Yik Fei / Getty Images News)

3) This led to clashes with police

Hong Kong police 9/27

(Xaume Olleros / AFP / Getty)

4) Protests grew; thousands filled the streets in Central this weekend

Hong Kong protests 9/27

(Lam Yik Fei / Getty Images)

5) Protests have shut down much of the city

This has led to concerns (or hopes) that it may disrupt the financial district so important to Hong Kong's economy once markets open on Monday.

Hong Kong protests roads 9/28

(Anthony Kwan/Getty)

6) On Sunday, police fired tear gas

This was a major and highly unusual escalation in a city where peaceful protest is common.

Hong Kong tear gas 9-28

(Aaron Tam / AFP / Getty)

7) A defiant protester stands amid a huge cloud of tear gas

Tear gas Hong Kong

(Xaume Olleros / AFP / Getty)

8) A demonstrator has water poured on his face to try to ease the burning

Hong Kong protester water face

(Xaume Olleros / AFP / Getty)

9) Armed riot police tried to secure government buildings

They give the streets an eerie sense of military occupation.

Hong Kong Riot Police

(Anthony Kwan/Getty)

10)Thousands of students remained on the streets Sunday night

It's not clear what will happen next.

Hong Kong protests 9/28

(Aaron Tam / AFP / Getty)

Read our explainer on what's happening in Hong Kong, why it's happening, and why this is such a big deal.

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