Pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong wrote the words "We Will Be Back" in tarpaulins before police moved in to shut down their main camp on Thursday after a 30-minute warning.
Police carried out a methodical operation to remove barriers, tents and other debris from the rubbish-strewn highway in the city's financial district, after two and a half months of protest against China's interference in Hong Kong's upcoming elections.
Hundreds of officers were involved in the shutdown, which was largely peaceful, but around 100 students and other supporters sat on the street and chanted "we will be back".
They didn't back down as police lifted them off the ground, with many patiently accepting being arrested on charges of unlawful assembly, the Guardian reported.
The activists are calling for free elections for Hong Kong in 2017 and oppose plans to screen all candidates by China, which administrates the former British colony.
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Hong Kong Protesters Removed
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Police officers line up as they observe protesters at the occupied area outside government headquarters in Hong Kong Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. Hong Kong police on Thursday took away demonstrators who refused to leave the main pro-democracy protest camp and tore down their tents in a final push to retake streets occupied by activists for two and a half months. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung) (credit:Kin Cheung/AP)
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Words "We'll be back" are formed at an occupied area outside government headquarters in Hong Kong Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. Hong Kong authorities started clearing barricades Thursday from a pro-democracy protest camp spread across a busy highway as part of a final push to retake streets occupied by activists for two and a half months. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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A general view of a main road after police clearing barricades and tents outside government headquarters in Hong Kong Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. Hong Kong police on Thursday took away demonstrators who refused to leave the main pro-democracy protest camp and tore down their tents in a final push to retake streets occupied by activists for two and a half months. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Members of the Hong Kong police block off the area as they clear out the remains of the pro-democracy protest camp in the Admiralty district of Hong Kong on December 11, 2014. Hong Kong police gave hundreds of pro-democracy protesters at the city's main rally site 30 minutes to leave or face arrest on December 11 as they announced a 'lockdown' of the area as part of a clearance operation. AFP PHOTO / PEDRO UGARTE (Photo credit should read PEDRO UGARTE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:PEDRO UGARTE via Getty Images)
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Members of the Hong Kong police form a line to block off the area as they clear out the remains of the pro-democracy protest camp in the Admiralty district of Hong Kong on December 11, 2014. Hong Kong police gave hundreds of pro-democracy protesters at the city's main rally site 30 minutes to leave or face arrest on December 11 as they announced a 'lockdown' of the area as part of a clearance operation. AFP PHOTO / PEDRO UGARTE (Photo credit should read PEDRO UGARTE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:PEDRO UGARTE via Getty Images)
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A police officer, center, carries a tent near the Central Government Offices in the Admiralty district of Hong Kong, China, on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. Hong Kongs police removed barricades and tore down tents around government offices, as a group of protesters prepared to make a last stand after more than two months of democracy demonstrations. Photographer: Billy H.C. Kwok/Bloomberg via Getty Images (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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Hong Kong police dismantle the remains of the pro-democracy protest camp in the Admiralty district of Hong Kong on December 11, 2014. Hong Kong police swooped on the city's main pro-democracy site on December 11, clearing away tents and barricades after more than two months of rallies, and issuing an ultimatum to a hardcore of protesters who have refused to budge. AFP PHOTO / PEDRO UGARTE (Photo credit should read PEDRO UGARTE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:PEDRO UGARTE via Getty Images)
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Hong Kong police dismantle the remains of the pro-democracy protest camp in the Admiralty district of Hong Kong on December 11, 2014. Hong Kong police gave hundreds of pro-democracy protesters at the city's main rally site 30 minutes to leave or face arrest on December 11 as they announced a 'lockdown' of the area as part of a clearance operation. AFP PHOTO / PEDRO UGARTE (Photo credit should read PEDRO UGARTE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:PEDRO UGARTE via Getty Images)
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A line of Hong Kong police dismantles the remains of the pro-democracy protest camp in the Admiralty district of Hong Kong on December 11, 2014. Hong Kong police gave hundreds of pro-democracy protesters at the city's main rally site 30 minutes to leave or face arrest on December 11 as they announced a 'lockdown' of the area as part of a clearance operation. AFP PHOTO / PEDRO UGARTE (Photo credit should read PEDRO UGARTE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:PEDRO UGARTE via Getty Images)
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Police officers dismantle a canopy erected by pro-democracy protesters near the Central Government Offices in the Admiralty district of Hong Kong, China, on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. Hong Kongs police removed barricades and tore down tents around government offices, as a group of protesters prepared to make a last stand after more than two months of democracy demonstrations. Photographer: Lam Yik Fei/Bloomberg via Getty Images (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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Police officers line up as they observe protesters at the occupied area outside government headquarters in Hong Kong Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. Hong Kong police on Thursday took away demonstrators who refused to leave the main pro-democracy protest camp and tore down their tents in a final push to retake streets occupied by activists for two and a half months. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung) (credit:Kin Cheung/AP)
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HONG KONG - DECEMBER 11: A truck removes tents and rubbish left after the clearance of Occupy Central Pro-democracy camp in Admirality, on December 11, 2014 in Hong Kong, Hong Kong. (Photo by Lucas Schifres/Getty Images) (credit:Lucas Schifres via Getty Images)
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A man walks past dismantled tents and debris near the Central Government Offices in the Admiralty district of Hong Kong, China, on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2014 Hong Kongâs government removes road blockades and the encampment of protesters around its offices, bringing an end to the democracy demonstrations that have divided the city for more than two months. Photographer: Lam Yik Fei/Bloomberg via Getty Images (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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Protesters belongings are left behind as the police officers clear the occupied area outside government headquarters in Hong Kong Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. Hong Kong police on Thursday took away demonstrators who refused to leave the main pro-democracy protest camp and tore down their tents in a final push to retake streets occupied by activists for two and a half months. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Police officers clear yellow umbrella and barricades at the occupied area outside government headquarters in Hong Kong Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. Hong Kong police on Thursday took away demonstrators who refused to leave the main pro-democracy protest camp and tore down their tents in a final push to retake streets occupied by activists for two and a half months. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Police officers clear yellow umbrella and barricades at the occupied area outside government headquarters in Hong Kong Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. Hong Kong authorities started clearing barricades Thursday from a pro-democracy protest camp spread across a busy highway as part of a final push to retake streets occupied by activists for two and a half months. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Workers clear barricades at an occupied area outside government headquarters in Hong Kong Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. Hong Kong authorities started clearing barricades Thursday from a pro-democracy protest camp spread across a busy highway as part of a final push to retake streets occupied by activists for two and a half months. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Workers clear barricades at an occupied area outside government headquarters in Hong Kong Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. Hong Kong authorities started clearing barricades Thursday from a pro-democracy protest camp spread across a busy highway as part of a final push to retake streets occupied by activists for two and a half months. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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A general view shows a main road after police clearing barricades and tents outside government headquarters in Hong Kong Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. Hong Kong police on Thursday took away demonstrators who refused to leave the main pro-democracy protest camp and tore down their tents in a final push to retake streets occupied by activists for two and a half months. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Police officers clear protesters' belongings at the occupied area outside government headquarters in Hong Kong Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. Hong Kong authorities started clearing barricades Thursday from a pro-democracy protest camp spread across a busy highway as part of a final push to retake streets occupied by activists for two and a half months. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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A couple sit at a main road before police clearing barricades and tents outside government headquarters in Hong Kong Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. Hong Kong police on Thursday took away demonstrators who refused to leave the main pro-democracy protest camp and tore down their tents in a final push to retake streets occupied by activists for two and a half months. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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A police commander leans against a concrete wall with the defaced Chinese national flags placed on at the occupied area outside government headquarters in Hong Kong Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. Hong Kong police on Thursday took away demonstrators who refused to leave the main pro-democracy protest camp and tore down their tents in a final push to retake streets occupied by activists for two and a half months. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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A protester prepares to leave a tent at a main road as police clearing barricades and tents outside government headquarters in Hong Kong Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. Hong Kong police on Thursday took away demonstrators who refused to leave the main pro-democracy protest camp and tore down their tents in a final push to retake streets occupied by activists for two and a half months. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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A police officer removes a banner on the bridge at the occupied area outside government headquarters in Hong Kong Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. Hong Kong police on Thursday took away demonstrators who refused to leave the main pro-democracy protest camp and tore down their tents in a final push to retake streets occupied by activists for two and a half months. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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A protester cries as the police officers clear the barricades at the occupied area outside government headquarters in Hong Kong Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. Hong Kong police on Thursday took away demonstrators who refused to leave the main pro-democracy protest camp and tore down their tents in a final push to retake streets occupied by activists for two and a half months. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Items belonged to protesters are littered on the ground after the police officers clear the occupied area outside government headquarters in Hong Kong Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. Hong Kong police on Thursday took away demonstrators who refused to leave the main pro-democracy protest camp and tore down their tents in a final push to retake streets occupied by activists for two and a half months. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Police officers line up as they remove the barricades and protesters' belongings at the occupied area outside government headquarters in Hong Kong Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. Hong Kong police on Thursday took away demonstrators who refused to leave the main pro-democracy protest camp and tore down their tents in a final push to retake streets occupied by activists for two and a half months. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Police officers remove a tent at the occupied area outside government headquarters in Hong Kong Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. Hong Kong police on Thursday took away demonstrators who refused to leave the main pro-democracy protest camp and tore down their tents in a final push to retake streets occupied by activists for two and a half months. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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A worker cleans the street after Hong Kong police dismantled the main pro-democracy protest camp in the Admiralty district of Hong Kong on December 11, 2014. Hong Kong police began dismantling the city's main pro-democracy site on December 11, clearing away tents and barricades after more than two months of rallies, and hauling off a hard core of protesters who nevertheless vow that their struggle lives on. AFP PHOTO / PEDRO UGARTE (Photo credit should read PEDRO UGARTE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:PEDRO UGARTE via Getty Images)
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Hong Kong police prepare to clear a road occupied by pro-democracy demonstrators at the main protest site in the Admiralty district in Hong Kong on December 11, 2014. Hong Kong police ordered defiant protesters to disperse from the city's main pro-democracy site or face arrest on December 11, in a final showdown as they dismantled rallies that have lasted for more than two months. AFP PHOTO / DALE DE LA REY (Photo credit should read DALE de la REY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:DALE DE LA REY via Getty Images)
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A worker cleans the street after Hong Kong police dismantled the main pro-democracy protest camp in the Admiralty district of Hong Kong on December 11, 2014. Hong Kong police began dismantling the city's main pro-democracy site on December 11, clearing away tents and barricades after more than two months of rallies, and hauling off a hard core of protesters who nevertheless vow that their struggle lives on. AFP PHOTO / PEDRO UGARTE (Photo credit should read PEDRO UGARTE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:PEDRO UGARTE via Getty Images)
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Police officers stand guard at a main road as they remove barricades and tents outside government headquarters in Hong Kong Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. Hong Kong police on Thursday took away demonstrators who refused to leave the main pro-democracy protest camp and tore down their tents in a final push to retake streets occupied by activists for two and a half months. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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A protester holding a picture of police officers hitting the protesters as workers clear the barricades at an occupied area outside government headquarters in Hong Kong Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. Hong Kong authorities started clearing barricades Thursday from a pro-democracy protest camp spread across a busy highway as part of a final push to retake streets occupied by activists for two and a half months. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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A protester sits at a main road as workers start clearing barricades at an occupied area in Mong Kok district of Hong Kong Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. Hong Kong authorities started clearing barricades Thursday from a pro-democracy protest camp spread across a busy highway as part of a final push to retake streets occupied by activists for two and a half months. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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The debris of the main pro-democracy protest camp is cleared away into trucks next to the central government offices in the Admiralty district in Hong Kong on December 11, 2014. Hong Kong police began dismantling the city's main pro-democracy site on December 11, clearing away tents and barricades after more than two months of rallies, and hauling off a hard core of protesters who nevertheless vow that their struggle lives on. AFP PHOTO / ALEX OGLE (Photo credit should read Alex Ogle/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ALEX OGLE via Getty Images)
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A truck with a crane clears debris on an overpass near the Central Government Offices in the Admiralty district of Hong Kong, China, on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. Hong Kongs police removed barricades and tore down tents around government offices, as a group of protesters prepared to make a last stand after more than two months of democracy demonstrations. Photographer: Lam Yik Fei/Bloomberg via Getty Images *** Local Caption ** Martin Lee (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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Hong Kong police dismantle the remains of the main pro-democracy protest camp in the Admiralty district of Hong Kong on December 11, 2014. Hong Kong police began dismantling the city's main pro-democracy site on December 11, clearing away tents and barricades after more than two months of rallies, and hauling off a hard core of protesters who nevertheless vow that their struggle lives on. AFP PHOTO / PEDRO UGARTE (Photo credit should read PEDRO UGARTE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:PEDRO UGARTE via Getty Images)
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Hong Kong police dismantle the remains of the main pro-democracy protest camp in the Admiralty district of Hong Kong on December 11, 2014. Hong Kong police began dismantling the city's main pro-democracy site on December 11, clearing away tents and barricades after more than two months of rallies, and hauling off a hard core of protesters who nevertheless vow that their struggle lives on. AFP PHOTO / PEDRO UGARTE (Photo credit should read PEDRO UGARTE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:PEDRO UGARTE via Getty Images)
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Police officers move along Connaught Road Central in the Central district of Hong Kong, China, on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. Hong Kongs police removed barricades and tore down tents around government offices, as a group of protesters prepared to make a last stand after more than two months of democracy demonstrations. Photographer: Lam Yik Fei/Bloomberg via Getty Images (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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Hong Kong police prepare to clear a road occupied by pro-democracy demonstrators at the main protest site in the Admiralty district in Hong Kong on December 11, 2014. Hong Kong police ordered defiant protesters to disperse from the city's main pro-democracy site or face arrest on December 11, in a final showdown as they dismantled rallies that have lasted for more than two months. AFP PHOTO / DALE DE LA REY (Photo credit should read DALE de la REY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:DALE DE LA REY via Getty Images)
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Lines of police officers stand outside the Hutchison House building on Connaught Road Central in the Central district of Hong Kong, China, on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. Hong Kongs police removed barricades and tore down tents around government offices, as a group of protesters prepared to make a last stand after more than two months of democracy demonstrations. Photographer: Lam Yik Fei/Bloomberg via Getty Images (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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Protesters attend a sit-in rally as police officers take away the protesters at the occupied area outside government headquarters in Hong Kong Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. Hong Kong police on Thursday took away demonstrators who refused to leave the main pro-democracy protest camp and tore down their tents in a final push to retake streets occupied by activists for two and a half months. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Police officers take away a protester at the occupied area outside government headquarters in Hong Kong Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. Hong Kong authorities started clearing barricades Thursday from a pro-democracy protest camp spread across a busy highway as part of a final push to retake streets occupied by activists for two and a half months. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Denise Ho Wan-see, also known as HOCC, a singer, is escorted by police officers near the Central Government Offices in the Admiralty district of Hong Kong, China, on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. Hong Kongs police removed barricades and tore down tents around government offices, as a group of protesters prepared to make a last stand after more than two months of democracy demonstrations. Photographer: Lam Yik Fei/Bloomberg via Getty Images *** Local Caption ** Denise Ho Wan-see (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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A protester is carried by police officers near the Central Government Offices in the Admiralty district of Hong Kong, China, on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. Hong Kongs police removed barricades and tore down tents around government offices, as a group of protesters prepared to make a last stand after more than two months of democracy demonstrations. Photographer: Lam Yik Fei/Bloomberg via Getty Images (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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Police officers line up as they observe protesters at the occupied area outside government headquarters in Hong Kong Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. Hong Kong police on Thursday took away demonstrators who refused to leave the main pro-democracy protest camp and tore down their tents in a final push to retake streets occupied by activists for two and a half months. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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HONG KONG - DECEMBER 11: The last remaining protesters sit on the ground while waiting for police to arrest them during the clearance of Occupy Central Pro-democracy camp in Admirality, on December 11, 2014 in Hong Kong, Hong Kong. (Photo by Lucas Schifres/Getty Images) (credit:Lucas Schifres via Getty Images)
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Workers sweep a road after police cleared the main pro-democracy protest site in the Admiralty district in Hong Kong on December 11, 2014. Hong Kong police began dismantling the city's main pro-democracy site on December 11, clearing away tents and barricades after more than two months of rallies, and hauling off a hard core of protesters who nevertheless vow that their struggle lives on. AFP PHOTO / DALE DE LA REY (Photo credit should read DALE de la REY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:DALE DE LA REY via Getty Images)
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A policeman (R) clears a tent from a road at the main pro-democracy protest site in the Admiralty district in Hong Kong on December 11, 2014. Hong Kong police dismantled the city's main pro-democracy site on December 11, clearing tents and barricades after more than two months of rallies and leading away more than 100 demonstrators, who vowed their struggle lives on. AFP PHOTO / DALE DE LA REY (Photo credit should read DALE de la REY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:DALE DE LA REY via Getty Images)
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Pro-democracy protesters gather and chant slogans next to a highway that police had cleared them from occupying in the Admiralty district of Hong Kong on December 11, 2014. Hong Kong police dismantled the city's main pro-democracy site on December 11, clearing tents and barricades after more than two months of rallies and leading away more than 100 demonstrators, who vowed their struggle lives on. AFP PHOTO / ALEX OGLE (Photo credit should read Alex Ogle/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ALEX OGLE via Getty Images)
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Workers clear debris from a road after police cleared the main pro-democracy protest site in the Admiralty district in Hong Kong on December 11, 2014. Hong Kong police began dismantling the city's main pro-democracy site on December 11, clearing away tents and barricades after more than two months of rallies, and hauling off a hard core of protesters who nevertheless vow that their struggle lives on. AFP PHOTO / DALE DE LA REY (Photo credit should read DALE de la REY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:DALE DE LA REY via Getty Images)
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Protesters pose for photographs on a barricade at the occupied area outside government headquarters in Hong Kong Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2014. Hong Kong's dwindling number of pro-democracy protesters vowed Wednesday to stay until the last minute before authorities clear them off a highway where they've been camped out for more than two months. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)