November 19, 2014 1:18 PM EST
T ension between Hong Kong’s pro-democracy protesters and police boiled over Wednesday, resulting in one of the most violent confrontations in weeks. Demonstrators had aimed to break into a government building but were repelled by officers in protective gear, in a dustup that occurred hours after some of the barricaded roads were ordered to be cleared. The dismantling comes after student leaders were refused entry to Beijing in a bid to meet with senior Chinese leaders about their demands.
Read more: Hong Kong Stands Up
Police face pro-democracy protesters on Nov. 19, 2014, outside the central government offices in the Admiralty district of Hong Kong. Alex Ogle—AFP/Getty Images Pro-democracy activists join arms as they face off with police outside the Legislative Council building on Nov. 19, 2014, in Hong Kong. Chris McGrath—Getty Images Police officers disperse pro-democracy protesters outside the Legislative Council building after clashes with pro-democracy activists on Nov. 19, 2014, in Hong Kong. Lam Yik Fei—Getty Images Pro-democracy protesters climb up a wall as police officers disperse them outside the Legislative Council building after clashes with pro-democracy activists on Nov. 19, 2014, in Hong Kong. Lam Yik Fei—Getty Images A pro-democracy protester is examined by rescue volunteers after being pepper sprayed by the police as he and others tried to break into the Legislative Council in Hong Kong on Nov. 19, 2014. Tyrone Siu—Reuters Pro-democracy activists sleep outside the Legislative Council building after protesters clashed with police on Nov. 19, 2014, in Hong Kong. Chris McGrath—Getty Images A policewoman stands by a broken window of the government headquarters building in the Admiralty district of Hong Kong on Nov. 19, 2014, after a small group attempted to break into the city's legislature. Philippe Lopez—AFP/Getty Images More Must-Reads from TIME Introducing the 2024 TIME100 Next Sabrina Carpenter Has Waited Her Whole Life for This What Lies Ahead for the Middle East Why It's So Hard to Quit Vaping Jeremy Strong on Taking a Risk With a New Film About Trump Our Guide to Voting in the 2024 Election The 10 Races That Will Determine Control of the Senate Column: How My Shame Became My Strength