50 Days of Hong Kong’s Umbrella Movement in Photos

The student-led occupation of Hong Kong’s streets has passed the half-century mark.
50 Days of Hong Kong’s Umbrella Movement in Photos
Pro-democracy protesters hold yellow umbrellas as they stand in a pattern forming a large umbrella in the Central District in Hong Kong on Nov. 8, 2014. Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times
Updated:

The student-led occupation of Hong Kong’s streets has passed the fifty day mark.

In those fifty days, the pro-democracy protesters have seen an outpouring of support from Hong Kong citizens, rediscovered the city’s caring side, fostered a sense of camaraderie, created works of public art, and gained new confidence in themselves.

The students and citizens have also been heckled by anti-Occupy supporters, seen the darker side of Hong Kong’s police force, and have thus far failed to make any headway in their demands for full democracy from their government and the Chinese communist regime.

Here’s a quick survey of the Umbrella Movement in fifty photos from the most recent events.

Day 50

Nov. 16

Selfie Time!

(Alex Ogle/AFP/Getty Images)
Alex Ogle/AFP/Getty Images

Prominent student leader Joshua Wong seizes the chance to take a selfie with an anti-Occupy supporter.

Day 49

Nov. 15

We’re (Not) Going to Beijing

(Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times)
Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times

Student leaders Alex Chow, Eason Chung, and Nathan Law from the Hong Kong Federation of Students (HKFS) were unsuccessful in their attempt to travel to Beijing to seek an audience with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.

Day 48

Nov. 14

Mask Up!

(Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)
Kevin Frayer/Getty Images

“Tear gas on our wedding? Not a problem.”

Day 47

Nov. 13

Library

(Anthony Kwan/Getty Images)
Anthony Kwan/Getty Images

The makeshift library in Mong Kok gets attracts plenty of readers.

Day 46

Nov. 12

Busted!

(Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times)
Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times

One of three men arrested for throwing animal organs at media mogul Jimmy Lai.

Lai is a strong advocate of democracy in Hong Kong, and his publication, Apple Daily, is one of the few papers that out-rightly support the students. 

Day 45

Nov. 11

Who’s Watching Who Now?

(Philippe Lopez/AFP/Getty Images)
Philippe Lopez/AFP/Getty Images

Day 44

Nov. 10

Never-ending Work

(Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times)
Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times

Protesters toil away ceaselessly at the barricades, strengthening them ahead of the inevitable confrontation between the Hong Kong police, who will most likely be asked to clear them out.

Day 43

Nov. 9

Tie a Yellow Ribbon

(Xaume Olleros/AFP/Getty Images)
Xaume Olleros/AFP/Getty Images

Joshua Wong joins a “Yellow Ribbon March” to the China liaison office let the pro-democracy demonstrators’ calls for universal suffrage be heard. Protesters tie yellow ribbons at the barricades under the watchful eyes of the police.

Day 42

Nov. 8

The “Orphaned” Occupy Site Hangs On

(Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times)
Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times

A “Lion Rock” banner with the words “I Want True Universal Suffrage” hangs at the Causeway Bay encampment, the smallest of the three occupy sites.

Day 41

Nov. 7

Street Fighter Support?

(Philippe Lopez/AFP/Getty Images)
Philippe Lopez/AFP/Getty Images

Chinese Communist Party leaders done up in Xi Jinping-with-umbrella/Street Fighter’s Gouki-style.

Day 40

Nov. 6

Right at Home

(Philippe Lopez/AFP/Getty Images)
Philippe Lopez/AFP/Getty Images

Forty days in, the protesters look very much at home in Admiralty.

Day 39

Nov. 5

Standoff

(Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times)
Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times

Students with yellow hardhats and plastic bottles, police with riot gear and shields. Right on cue, the red man shows up on the traffic light in the distance.

Day 38

Nov. 4

Universal Suffrage

(Philippe Lopez/AFP/Getty Images)
Philippe Lopez/AFP/Getty Images

That’s what those yellow ribbons stand for. Anti-Occupiers don blue ribbons.

Day 37

Nov. 3

Circus Time

(Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times)
Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times

Xi Jinping cardboard cut-outs can be found all over protest sites and especially near barricades because protesters hope that the police won’t dare forcibly remove barricades with the image of the incumbent Chinese leader on it.

Day 36

Nov. 2

Marvel vs. D.C.

(Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times)
Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times

South Park-inspired D.C. and Marvel paper super heroes carry mini yellow umbrellas and occupy their corner of Admiralty.

Day 35

Nov. 1

Kim Jong-un

(Nicolas Asfouri/AFP/Getty Images)
Nicolas Asfouri/AFP/Getty Images

A “Kim Jong-un” impersonator wows the crowd at Admiralty.

Day 34

Oct. 31

Halloween

(Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times)
Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times

Some Halloween fun. Given that democracy is on the line, no wonder the “in” thing is the Guy Fawkes mask from “V for Vendetta.”

Day 33

Oct. 30

The Sleepover Continues

(Nicolas Asfouri/AFP/Getty Images)
Nicolas Asfouri/AFP/Getty Images

It must be nice to camp out with your friends on a road in the middle of Hong Kong’s central business district.

Day 32

Oct. 29

Oh Deary Me

(Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
Chris McGrath/Getty Images

Somewhere in the Chief Executive’s residence at that, CY Leung is probably doing something similar, as the Hong Kong police failed to clear the protesters after more than a month into Occupy Central.

Day 31

Oct. 28

One Month Later

(Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times)
Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times

Protesters hold up their umbrellas to mark one month of Occupy Central.

Day 30

Oct. 27

“Lads, Back in My Days...”

(Nicolas Asfouri/AFP/Getty Images)
Nicolas Asfouri/AFP/Getty Images

The Occupy movement brings the young and the old together.

Day 29

Oct. 26

“Support Our Police”

(Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times)
Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times

An anti-Occupy petition booth at Tsuen Wan District.

The campaigners claim that they have received more than 1.8 million signatures against the protest. Pro-democracy supporters say that the anti-Occupy campaign has lax standards and cannot be counted on.

Day 28

Oct. 25

Just Gonna Plant Ourselves on the Road...

(Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times)
Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times

From the asphalt, a plant rises, symbol of the students’ determination and spirit.

Day 27

Oct. 24

Tank-brella?

(Nicolas Asfouri/AFP/Getty Images)
Nicolas Asfouri/AFP/Getty Images

A creative art installation made out of a tent, recycled bottles, and topped off with an umbrella.

Day 26

Oct. 23

Graduation Photo, Umbrella Movement-Style

(Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times)
Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times

This Hong Kong University student poses in front of the “Lennon Wall” for a memorable graduation picture.

Day 25

Oct. 22

“Ouch!”

(Nicolas Asfouri/AFP/Getty Images)
Nicolas Asfouri/AFP/Getty Images

A pro-democracy protester lies on the ground after being slightly injured during clashes with police, after they tried to arrest an unseen protester, in the Mongkok district of Hong Kong.

Day 24

Oct. 21

“So We Agreed to Disagree...”

(Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times)
Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times

Student representatives from the Hong Kong Federation of Students (HKFS) and Scholarism convener Joshua Wong (extreme left) at the press conference after a student-government dialogue.

During the talk, the Hong Kong government representatives said that they won’t ask the Chinese regime for more democratic reform in the 2017 Chief Executive elections, while the students gave impassioned speeches about democracy and the future of Hong Kong.

Day 23

Oct. 20

Street Doodle

(Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
Chris McGrath/Getty Images

Chalking up the Umbrella Movement.

Day 22

Oct. 19

The Struggle for Democracy is Not a Sprint...

(Nicolas Asfouri/AFP/Getty Images)
Nicolas Asfouri/AFP/Getty Images

...It’s a marathon!

Day 21

Oct. 18

Watch Where You’re Swinging That Night Stick

(Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times)
Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times

Police attempt to beat back protesters at Argyle Street, Mong Kok.

Day 20

Oct. 17

Persistence Pays Off

(Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times)
Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times

Pro-democracy protesters successfully retake Argyle Street after being cleared by police multiple times.

Day 19

Oct. 16

“Avengers Assemble!”

(Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times)
Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times

Hong Kong’s “Captain America” spotted in Mong Kok. “Captain America” would subsequently be arrested, see his shield confiscated, and later released on bail.

Day 18

Oct. 15

No Police Violence Please, We Are Hongkongers

(Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times)
Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times

Protesters hold upside-down signs that read “Black Police” to show their dissatisfaction towards the police action on Oct. 14.

Day 17

Oct. 14

Cheap Umbrellas for Sale... Not

(Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times)
Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times

In what turned out to be a night of brutality, police start to beat pro-democracy protesters with batons and their hands after they successfully shutdown Lung Wo Road, one of the major roadways in Hong Kong.

Day 16

Oct. 13

Occupy vs Anti-Occupy — GIVE ME THAT BARRICADE

(Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times)
Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times

A very determined bunch of anti-Occupy supporters forcibly remove metal barricades set up by Occupy protesters.

Day 15

Oct. 12

Democracy Please, Not Rain

(Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times)
Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times

This is so not a rain dance.

Day 14

Oct. 11

“Get Me to the Streets on Time...”

(Anthony Wallace/AFP/Getty Images)
Anthony Wallace/AFP/Getty Images

Nothing like a good pro-democracy protest for an excellent wedding photo location.

Day 13

Oct. 10

Gotta Hit Those Books

(Paula Bronstein/Getty Images)
Paula Bronstein/Getty Images

Students furiously studying away is a common sight at the occupation areas.

Day 12

Oct. 9

Pint-sized Umbrella Protester Spotted

(Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times)
Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times

Cute kid with an umbrella. Not sure if he knows what “real universal suffrage” means, though.

Day 11

Oct. 8

“Don’t Cry For Me Hong Kong...”

(Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times)
Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times

“Dad, Mum, so there’s this massive sleepover at Admiralty, Mong Kok and Causeway Bay until, like, we get real democracy in Hong Kong, and all my friends will be there...”

Day 10

Oct. 7

Umbrella Man

(Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times)
Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times

Created by Hong Kong sculptor “Milk,” “Umbrella Man” stands tall in Admiralty with the movement’s iconic yellow umbrella.

Day 9

Oct. 6

“I Need a Break” — Protesters

(Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times)
Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times

Hong Kong youngsters catch up on their beauty sleep... on the road.

Day 8

Oct. 5

A Little More (Friendly) Conversation, a Little Less (Police) Action, Please

(Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times)
Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times

Police and student protesters engage in friendly conversation at the barricades. If only it was this peaceful at the French Revolution...

Day 7

Oct. 4

“Do You Hear the People Sing, Mr CY Leung?”

(Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times)
Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times

Tens of thousands of people gather on Connaught Road Central, East of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Forces Building, demanding that Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying resign from his position in Hong Kong.

Day 6

Oct. 3

Occupy vs Anti-Occupy — CCP “Protesters-For-Hire”

(Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times)
Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times

In Kowloon, pro-democracy protesters (R) clash with an assailant who the protesters say was hired by the Chinese Communist Party to cause trouble.

Day 5

Oct. 2

HK’s Lennon Wall — Early Days

(Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times)
Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times

Protesters stick post-it notes expressing their democratic aspirations to the Hong Kong Central Government Offices wall.

Day 4

Oct. 1

Admiralty Protest Site

(Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times)
Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times

Thousands of pro-democracy protesters gather at the Government Complex, against a backdrop of cranes and skyscrapers.

Day 3

Sept. 30

A Not-So-Average Work Commute

(Paula Bronstein/Getty Images)
Paula Bronstein/Getty Images

A man walks to work along the empty streets of Central which usually would be chocked with peak hour traffic.

Day 2

Sept. 29

“I Need a Break” — Police

(Xaume Olleros/AFP/Getty Images)
Xaume Olleros/AFP/Getty Images

Policemen get a little shut-eye following pro-democracy protests in Admiralty.

Day 1

Sept. 28

The Day Hong Kong Cried

(Xaume Olleros/AFP/Getty Images)
Xaume Olleros/AFP/Getty Images

The Umbrella Movement got off to a teary start as protesters as Hong Kong police used tear gas on the protesters near the Hong Kong government headquarters in Admiralty.

In total, police fired 87 canisters of tear gas at the tens of thousands of pro-democracy demonstrators.

Larry Ong
Larry Ong
Journalist
Larry Ong is a New York-based journalist with Epoch Times. He writes about China and Hong Kong. He is also a graduate of the National University of Singapore, where he read history.