Thousands of pro-democracy supporters took to Hong Kong’s streets on Friday night after protest leaders called on them to dig in for the long haul following the collapse of talks with the government.

Negotiations between protesters and Beijing-backed city officials were scheduled for Friday, but were cancelled on Thursday after the government pulled out blaming protesters for threatening to expand their campaign.

The decision deepened the political crisis in the Asian financial hub, with the failure of talks expected to reinvigorate mass rallies that have paralysed parts of the city for nearly two weeks.

Demonstrators are calling for Beijing to grant the former British colony full democracy and for Hong Kong’s chief executive, Leung Chun-ying, to resign.

About 7,000 people gathered on Friday evening at the main protest site, a stretch of road opposite the government’s headquarters.

But while crowds were smaller than ay previous rallies, the protest sites have begun to take on an air of permanence, with tents, portable showers and beds.

“I will continue to stay here until the government talks to us,” sais Yuki Law, a 21-year-old nursing student.

Student leaders on Friday blamed the government for pulling out of talks, and insisted they were still open to finding a middle ground. But they vowed no let up in their occupation of parts of Hong Kong despite growing public anger about the disruption they have caused.

“Come to occupy the road outside the public headquarters, come bring your tents to show our persistence on long term occupy action,” student leader Joshua Wong told supporters before the planned mass gathering.