our Eunice Kim, standing by at the NewsCenter for us.

Eunice... I bet it was a rough start of the work week for those in Hong Kong... as thousands

of protesters struggled with police into the early morning hours today... blocking major

roads into the city′s financial hub? That′s right, Jinjoo. And while their numbers

have diminished... crowds of people remain on the streets, resolute in their demands

to see a genuine democratic process adopted in Hong Kong.

This as the police crackdown overnight included tear gas... not used in the city since 2005.

Our Kim Min-ji takes you there. Thousands of protesters continue to occupy

major streets in the heart of Hong Kong. The crowds have now somewhat thinned out,...

but roads leading to the city′s financial district remained blocked off as protesters

ignore warnings from authorities, who say the demonstrations are illegal.

The Hong Kong Information Services Department says more than three dozen people have been

injured in clashes. Riot police have used tear gas and pepper

spray on the protesters,... many of whom wore goggles, ponchos and held up umbrellas to

protect themselves. Fresh protests have also broken out in the

shopping district of Causeway Bay and in Mong Kok.

Hong Kong′s chief executive has called on citizens not to believe what he called "rumors"

of police violence. "I hope citizens can keep their calm and not

falsely believe in these rumors. The police are working hard to maintain social order,

which includes the free-flow of traffic. They are also protecting public safety, and have

exercised great restraint during their operations." The protests began last week and grew over

the weekend as demonstrators from the Occupy Central movement joined students who have

been demanding "universal suffrage" in the city′s first chief executive election in

2017. The demonstrators want to be allowed to directly

vote for top city officials,... rather than Beijing-vetted candidates.

Kim Min-ji, Arirang News.