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Shocking video footage has emerged of a Hong Kong police officer pepper spraying an elderly man in the face.
Footage captured on Sunday shows the man standing behind a barricade, addressing the crowd. Moments later, a police officer turns the man around before pepper-spraying him directly in the face.
The video has been widely shared on social media, with many using the footage to symbolise their struggle for greater political freedom from Beijing.
Students have been at the forefront of the demonstrations but others have swelled their ranks since riot police tear-gassed protesters on Sunday night, in chaotic scenes that triggered an outpouring of support.
The protesters are furious at the central government's refusal to allow free elections for the city's next leader in 2017, insisting that only two or three candidates vetted by a pro-Beijing committee will be permitted to stand.
They call this "fake democracy" and have two demands - that Leung steps down and that Beijing reverses its decision.
In a movement being dubbed the 'umbrella revolution' - a nod to the umbrellas they have used to protect themselves against tear gas, the sun and torrential downpours - the protesters have brought key parts of the city to a standstill, heavily disrupting the transport network and shutting down businesses.
Wednesday and Thursday are both public holidays in Hong Kong, leaving many workers free to swell the masses in the streets.
China on Wednesday issued a stern warning to Washington to stay out of the situation, brushing off US calls for restraint and saying the protests were none of its business.
However, support for the protesters has been growing worldwide, with smaller "solidarity" demonstrations held from Taipei and Singapore to London and Washington.
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