
Protesters continued to spill out into the streets of Hong Kong today as they clashed with riot police who fired tear gas in the 10th week of violent showdowns.

Anti-government protesters wearing gas masks and wielding home-made shields launched bricks and blocked traffic on Sunday in yet another day of demonstrations that has plunged Hong Kong into its most serious crisis in decades.

In a separate incident, protesters gathered outside a police station in Sham Shui Po and stood their ground as they were surrounded by officers wearing protective gear who looked down at them from a tall wall.

Police arrested anti-extradition bill protesters amid the chaos, following petrol bombs explosions and make-shift steel used barricades to block off roads.

Chants of 'Liberate Hong Kong' had earlier echoed through the streets as more than 1,000 protesters wearing black marched amid a tense atmosphere.

A protester is surrounded by riot police in the Tsim Sha Tsui area on August 11. Pro-democracy protesters have continued rallies against a controversial extradition bill since June 9, when the city was plunged into crisis after waves of demonstrations and several violent clashes

Protesters take cover from tear gas and rubber bullets fired from the police station in the Tsim Sha Tsui area after another evening of clashes with police

Protesters use a slingshot during more clashes with police at a demonstration in the Tsim Sha Tsui area. More protests are planned for later in the week

A protester is held down by riot police after a demonstration. Chants of 'Liberate Hong Kong' had earlier echoed through the streets

Anti-extradition bill protesters react from tear gas as riot police try to disperse them during a protest at Sham Shui Po in Hong Kong in the 10th week of violent showdowns

Police arrest anti-government protesters during a rally in Sham Shui Po in yet another day of demonstrations that has plunged Hong Kong into its most serious crisis in decades

The fresh demonstrations came after the city's leader Carrie Lam pledged she would not grant concessions to the protesters as their movement enters its third month.

Hong Kong has seen nine weeks of protests with no end in sight. The movement's demands include the resignation of the city's leader, democratic elections, the release of those arrested in earlier protests and an investigation into police use of force against the protesters.

Banners at the rally read 'Give Hong Kong back to us' and 'Withdraw the evil law,' the latter a reference to an extradition bill that was the original spark for the protests.

The protest movement, which began in response to a now-suspended law that would have allowed suspects to be extradited to stand trial in mainland China, still seems to enjoy broad support.

Thousands of activists also occupied the airport arrivals hall for a third day in a row, while others turned out earlier at a downtown park.

'At the beginning, in June, I didn't take it very seriously,' said Jason Liu, a 29-year-old arborist who joined a protest in Victoria Park near the city centre.

Protesters with umbrellas and homemade shields as they face with riot policemen on a street in Hong Kong as police fired tear gas late Sunday afternoon to try to disperse a demonstration

Pro-Democracy protesters throw back tear gas fired by the police during a demonstratrion against the controversial extradition bill in Sham Shui Po district

An anti-extradition bill protester throws a tear gas canister during a demonstration in Wan Chai neighbourhood in Hong Kong

Police officers fire tear gas as anti-extradition bill protesters demonstrate in Sham Shui Po neighbourhood in Hong Kong

An anti-extradition bill protester holds a tear gas canister during a demonstration in Sham Shui Po neighbourhood as the unrest continues

'But after these two months I really feel it is now or never for us, because in 20 years we won't be able to do anything anymore,' he said. 'Our main target is obviously the government. They didn't respond to any of our requests.'

'We hope the world knows that Hong Kong is not the Hong Kong it used to be,' said one protester, Louisa Ho. 'China is doing more and more to pressure Hong Kong, its people and its organizations.'

Hannah Yu, an organizer, said the protest would provide a platform for people to rally peacefully. In what has become an established pattern, groups of protesters have taken over streets or besieged government buildings after largely peaceful marches and rallies earlier in the day.

'There will still be citizens going out on the streets to protest, but we cannot control them and we do not have the authority to control them,' Yu said.

Police permitted the rally in Victoria Park but denied a request by organizers to also have a march in the eastern part of Hong Kong Island. Police also denied permission for the march in Kowloon, but protesters went ahead anyway.

Protesters with protection gears face with riot police. Chants of 'Liberate Hong Kong' had earlier echoed through the streets

Protesters use traffic cones to cover the tear gas canisters fired by riot police. More than 1,000 protesters wore black and marched amid a tense atmosphere

Riot policemen detain protesters during the anti-extradition bill protest. Hong Kong has seen nine weeks of protests with no end in sight

Anti-extradition bill protesters react after tear gas was fired by police, during a demonstration in Sham Shui Po neighbourhood

An anti-extradition bill protester holds a pan to use as a cover from tear gas during a protest at Sham Shui Po. Meanhwile thousands of activists also occupied the airport arrivals hall for a third day in a row