As the battle between police and protesters continued, plumes of gas, once used as a final measure, were fired several times to prevent protesters from reaching the Beijing liaison office, a place that was defaced a week earlier. The protesters tried for hours to advance, only to retreat when they were overcome by smoke.

Many protesters said they were determined to continue to defy this government that has rebuffed peaceful marches, calls for democratic elections, and demands for an independent investigation into police tactics.

The protesters’ resistance came amid word that the central government’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office would have a press conference on Monday to share Beijing’s views about Hong Kong’s current political turmoil.

Some protesters wondered if Beijing might impose punishment or restrictions on the rambunctious territory.

Source : VOA