Hong Kong: Amid severe warnings from Beijing, more than 100,000 people dressed in black on Sunday took part in pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.
Subway railway stations were forced to shut after getting clogged with protesters heading to the rally.
Though the authorities didn't grant permission to organisers - Civil Rights Human Front - for the march, the sheer weight of numbers around the park meant that activists had to shift to streets. However, the police had allowed demonstration in Victoria Park.
Activists and the police have clashed over the past 10 weeks with the security forces frequently firing tear gas and rubber bullets, but this weekend's rallies have been peaceful.
China, which has built up security forces in nearby Shenzhen, has likened the protests to terrorist activity.
After increasingly violent clashes in recent weeks, there's been a concerted effort to win back public support for the democratic reforms by focusing on larger peaceful gatherings.
Last weekend, activists had occupied the airport, which led to the cancellation of hundreds of flights.
The turmoil has plunged one of Asia's leading financial centers into crisis. Many businesses remained closed on Sunday, amid fears of violence.
Mass protests erupted in June over the Hong Kong government's now-shelved extradition bill. The administration dropped the draft legislation on June 15 and city leader Carrie Lam later declared it dead. Since then protesters have escalated the campaign with street demonstrations and non-cooperative action.
Protesters demand democratic reforms, the resignation of leader Carrie Lam and an independent inquiry into brute use of police force on protesters.
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