Hong Kong Protesters Take to Social Media, When They're Not Blocked

Hong Kong pro-democracy protests turned violent on Sunday as police tried to clear the crowds with tear gas and batons. The Chinese government has refused to grant universal suffrage to Hong Kong until 2017 and even then plans to vet candidates who will run for election, a move protestors have branded "fake democracy."

Riot police stand on a road as protesters block the street near the financial Central district, outside the government headquarters in Hong Kong, September 29, 2014.Carlos Barria/Reuters

Morning has come in Hong Kong and the protests are in full swing with protestors blocking main roads in at least three part of the city. The New York Times reports tear gas was used by police for the first time in "years," and police officers were reported injured in clashes.

#OccupyCentral protests disrupt #HongKong transport, school and businesses http://t.co/mHZ3pSNHrVpic.twitter.com/7HyJAQHKdP

— Channel NewsAsia (@ChannelNewsAsia) September 29, 2014

Seventy-eight arrests have been made so far, including foricble entry in government premises and disorderly conduct offences, the AFP reports.

Extraordinary morning in Kowloon, any other day heavy traffic on this road, 9am protesters full control, no police https://t.co/EuzKJcKE8f

— Alex Ogle (@Alex_Ogle) September 29, 2014

The protests are already being called the "umbrella revolution" as protestors have used umbrellas to shield themselves from both the sun and pepper spray. 

8.40am: Umbrellas now become shield fr sun #UmbrellaRevolution#OccupyCentral#CWB#HKpic.twitter.com/PPpJmML9P9

— Miss Vivienne Chow (@VivienneChow) September 29, 2014

Signs heralding the #UmbrellaRevolution , as #OccupyCentral is being called. Subtext says "WE FIGHT FOR Democracy!!!"pic.twitter.com/6WpPUgTa4z

— Rishi Iyengar (@iyengarrishi) September 29, 2014

Earlier on Sunday, Reuters reported China has blocked photosharing service Instagram, which protesters were using to publish photos using the "Occupy Central" hashtag. The hashtag has also been banned on Weibo, China's version of Twitter. 

Riot police fire teargas to disperse protesters after thousands of demonstrators blocked the main street to the financial Central district outside the government headquarters in Hong Kong on September 29. Riot police advanced on Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters in the early hours of Monday, firing volleys of tear gas that sent some fleeing as others erected barricades to block the security forces.Reuters

LIVE: Secondary school kids in Kwai Tsing 'strike' to protest police action #OccupyCentralhttp://t.co/7ftMvCir5Cpic.twitter.com/MbIQulkyfP

— SCMP News (@SCMP_News) September 29, 2014