Hong Kong’s ‘Umbrella’ protest: One year on, what has changed?

Kristie Lu Stout
By Kristie Lu Stout, CNN
Updated 3:41 AM EDT, Mon September 28, 2015

Story highlights

Thousands camped in major thoroughfares last year to demand democracy

Tents lined motorway near business district, students refused to leave

One year on, protest has disbanded though protesters say they'll fight on

(CNN) —  

It was an unexpected outburst of violence that shocked Hong Kong and the world.

One year ago on Monday, police in riot gear moved in on peaceful pro-democracy protesters, using tear gas to disperse the crowds.

From these clashes emerged the “Umbrella Movement,” named for the umbrellas the protesters used to shield themselves from the tear gas and pepper spray.

For 79 days, thousands of protesters occupied Hong Kong’s financial district and elsewhere to demand true universal suffrage – one person, one vote, without the interference of Beijing.

It was the biggest political challenge to Beijing since the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests. But after all the passion and the protest, what has the Umbrella Movement actually achieved?

After public opinion turned, the demonstrators were cleared off the streets.

Hong Kong’s embattled leader, C.Y. Leung, remains in charge.

And while Democrats rejected a Beijing-backed proposal for limited democracy, the “no” vote maintained the status quo.

Where are the protesters now?

The Umbrella Movement’s call for democracy was ultimately denied, and yet student protest leaders still believe it was not all for nothing.

“When I look back in the past year, I am not pessimistic nor do I feel bad about it when I see how things have calmed down,” says student protest leader Nathan Law.

Police remove barricades and tents outside government headquarters in Hong Kong on Thursday, December 11, 2014. The main site of pro-democracy protests for the past two months was broken down piece by piece, and police dragged out the last remaining demonstrators one by one.
Photos: Photos: Hong Kong unrest 2014
PHOTO: Vincent Yu/AP
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Police remove barricades and tents outside government headquarters in Hong Kong on Thursday, December 11, 2014. The main site of pro-democracy protests for the past two months was broken down piece by piece, and police dragged out the last remaining demonstrators one by one.
Workers clear barricades on December 11. Protesters wanted to pressure the government to allow open elections for Hong Kong
Photos: Photos: Hong Kong unrest 2014
PHOTO: Vincent Yu/AP
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Workers clear barricades on December 11. Protesters wanted to pressure the government to allow open elections for Hong Kong's chief executive in 2017.
Authorities dismantle a barricade December 11 at the main protest site.
Photos: Photos: Hong Kong unrest 2014
PHOTO: Alex Ogle/AFP/Getty Images
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Authorities dismantle a barricade December 11 at the main protest site.
A police officer removes a protest banner from a bridge December 11.
Photos: Photos: Hong Kong unrest 2014
PHOTO: Kin Cheung/AP
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A police officer removes a protest banner from a bridge December 11.
A worker cleans the street after Hong Kong police dismantled the main protest camp December 11.
Photos: Photos: Hong Kong unrest 2014
PHOTO: PEDRO UGARTE/AFP/Getty Images
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A worker cleans the street after Hong Kong police dismantled the main protest camp December 11.
Protesters attend a sit-in rally as police officers break down the campsite.
Photos: Photos: Hong Kong unrest 2014
PHOTO: Kin Cheung/AP
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Protesters attend a sit-in rally as police officers break down the campsite.
Police officers take away a protester December 11.
Photos: Photos: Hong Kong unrest 2014
PHOTO: Kin Cheung/AP
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Police officers take away a protester December 11.
A protester is carried away by police officers on December 11.
Photos: Photos: Hong Kong unrest 2014
PHOTO: Vincent Yu/AP
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A protester is carried away by police officers on December 11.
A crowd listens to a speaker at the main Hong Kong protest site in Admiralty on Tuesday, December 9.
Photos: Photos: Hong Kong unrest 2014
PHOTO: JOHANNES EISELE/AFP/Getty Images
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A crowd listens to a speaker at the main Hong Kong protest site in Admiralty on Tuesday, December 9.
Few pro-democracy activists tents remain on the road outside Hong Kong
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PHOTO: Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images
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Few pro-democracy activists tents remain on the road outside Hong Kong's Government Complex on December 9.
Hong Kong teenage protest leader Joshua Wong ended his hunger strike after about five days on Saturday, December 6, on the advice of his doctor.
Photos: Photos: Hong Kong unrest 2014
PHOTO: JOHANNES EISELE/AFP/Getty Images
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Hong Kong teenage protest leader Joshua Wong ended his hunger strike after about five days on Saturday, December 6, on the advice of his doctor.
The three co-founders of the Occupy Central movement -- from left, Benny Tai Yiu-ting, Chan Kin-man, and the Rev. Chu Yiu-ming -- surrender to authorities in Hong Kong on Wednesday, December 3.
Photos: Photos: Hong Kong unrest 2014
PHOTO: Lam Yik Fei/Getty Images
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The three co-founders of the Occupy Central movement -- from left, Benny Tai Yiu-ting, Chan Kin-man, and the Rev. Chu Yiu-ming -- surrender to authorities in Hong Kong on Wednesday, December 3.
Student protest leader Joshua Wong carries his belongings toward a tent at the main protest site in Hong Kong
Photos: Photos: Hong Kong unrest 2014
PHOTO: JOHANNES EISELE/AFP/Getty Images
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Student protest leader Joshua Wong carries his belongings toward a tent at the main protest site in Hong Kong's Admiralty district on Tuesday, December 2. Wong and two other student demonstrators have begun a hunger strike to demand discussions with Hong Kong's leaders over political reform for the city.
Pro-democracy protesters gather outside the Central Government Complex in Hong Kong on Monday, December 1.
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PHOTO: Anthony Kwan/Getty Images
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Pro-democracy protesters gather outside the Central Government Complex in Hong Kong on Monday, December 1.
Police arrest a protester outside government headquarters in Hong Kong on December 1.
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PHOTO: Vincent Yu/AP
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Police arrest a protester outside government headquarters in Hong Kong on December 1.
A police officer clears umbrellas from the Lung Wo road tunnel after clashes between protesters and police on December 1.
Photos: Photos: Hong Kong unrest 2014
PHOTO: Chris McGrath/Getty Images
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A police officer clears umbrellas from the Lung Wo road tunnel after clashes between protesters and police on December 1.
Pro-democracy protesters face police forces after clashes in the Admiralty district of Hong Kong on Sunday, November 30.
Photos: Photos: Hong Kong unrest 2014
PHOTO: PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/Getty Images
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Pro-democracy protesters face police forces after clashes in the Admiralty district of Hong Kong on Sunday, November 30.
A protester reacts after being hit by pepper spray on November 30.
Photos: Photos: Hong Kong unrest 2014
PHOTO: Vincent Yu/AP
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A protester reacts after being hit by pepper spray on November 30.
Hundreds of pro-democracy protesters face off with Hong Kong police on November 30.
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PHOTO: Kin Cheung/AP
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Hundreds of pro-democracy protesters face off with Hong Kong police on November 30.
Pro-democracy protesters collide with police officers on the main road outside the government headquarters in Hong Kong on November 30.
Photos: Photos: Hong Kong unrest 2014
PHOTO: Kin Cheung
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Pro-democracy protesters collide with police officers on the main road outside the government headquarters in Hong Kong on November 30.
Police prepare to face protesters on Lung Wo Road outside Hong Kong
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Police prepare to face protesters on Lung Wo Road outside Hong Kong's Government complex on November 30.
Pro-democracy protesters push police back as they advance on Lung Wo Road outside Hong Kong
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PHOTO: Anthony Kwan/Getty Images
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Pro-democracy protesters push police back as they advance on Lung Wo Road outside Hong Kong's Government complex on November 30.
Policemen keep vigil as pro-democracy demonstrators gather on street parallel to where a protest site was cleared in the Mongkok district of Hong Kong on Friday, November 28.
Photos: Photos: Hong Kong unrest 2014
PHOTO: PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/Getty Images
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Policemen keep vigil as pro-democracy demonstrators gather on street parallel to where a protest site was cleared in the Mongkok district of Hong Kong on Friday, November 28.
Protesters cry as police officers try to stop them from blocking the road in the Mong Kok district of Hong Kong on Wednesday, November 26.
Photos: Photos: Hong Kong unrest 2014
PHOTO: Kin Cheung/AP
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Protesters cry as police officers try to stop them from blocking the road in the Mong Kok district of Hong Kong on Wednesday, November 26.
Police clash with protesters as they try to clear a major protest site on Tuesday, November 25.
Photos: Photos: Hong Kong unrest 2014
PHOTO: Chris McGrath/Getty Images
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Police clash with protesters as they try to clear a major protest site on Tuesday, November 25.
A protester is carried away by police officers on November 25. Hong Kong
Photos: Photos: Hong Kong unrest 2014
PHOTO: Vincent Yu/AP
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A protester is carried away by police officers on November 25. Hong Kong's high court authorized police to arrest protesters who obstruct clearance of the area.
Police try to arrest a protester on November 25.
Photos: Photos: Hong Kong unrest 2014
PHOTO: Anthony Kwan/Getty Images
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Police try to arrest a protester on November 25.
A demonstrator is sprayed with pepper spray by the police after refusing to leave the protest site on November 25.
Photos: Photos: Hong Kong unrest 2014
PHOTO: Kin Cheung/AP
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A demonstrator is sprayed with pepper spray by the police after refusing to leave the protest site on November 25.
Protesters break a glass door of the Legislative Council on Wednesday, November 19.
Photos: Photos: Hong Kong unrest 2014
PHOTO: Associated Press
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Protesters break a glass door of the Legislative Council on Wednesday, November 19.
Protesters stand off with police officers outside the Legislative Council building after clashes on November 19.
Photos: Photos: Hong Kong unrest 2014
PHOTO: Anthony Kwan/Getty
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Protesters stand off with police officers outside the Legislative Council building after clashes on November 19.
Security staff members remove a barricade outside the CITIC tower near a protest site in the Admiralty district of Hong Kong on Tuesday, November 18.
Photos: Photos: Hong Kong unrest 2014
PHOTO: philippe Lopez/AFP/Getty
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Security staff members remove a barricade outside the CITIC tower near a protest site in the Admiralty district of Hong Kong on Tuesday, November 18.
There were no signs of resistance from protesters, some of whom helped bailiffs, police and CITIC representatives move barricades away on November 18.
Photos: Photos: Hong Kong unrest 2014
PHOTO: philippe lopez/afp/getty
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There were no signs of resistance from protesters, some of whom helped bailiffs, police and CITIC representatives move barricades away on November 18.
The Admiralty protest site is shown on the road outside the Hong Kong Government complex on Monday, November 17.
Photos: Photos: Hong Kong unrest 2014
PHOTO: Chris McGrath/Getty
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The Admiralty protest site is shown on the road outside the Hong Kong Government complex on Monday, November 17.
Student leaders attempted to fly to Beijing to deliver a message to the Chinese government on Saturday, November 15. They were denied boarding after being informed that their entry permits were invalid.
Photos: Photos: Hong Kong unrest 2014
PHOTO: Alex Ogle/Getty
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Student leaders attempted to fly to Beijing to deliver a message to the Chinese government on Saturday, November 15. They were denied boarding after being informed that their entry permits were invalid.
A businessman walks to work past protester-placed barricades that blocked a road at the Admiralty protest site on Thursday, November 13.
Photos: Photos: Hong Kong unrest 2014
PHOTO: Kevin Frayer/Getty
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A businessman walks to work past protester-placed barricades that blocked a road at the Admiralty protest site on Thursday, November 13.
People open umbrellas at the main protest site in Hong Kong on Tuesday, October 28. The umbrella has become the defining image of the protest movement, used to shield protesters from tear gas and the elements.
Photos: Photos: Hong Kong unrest 2014
PHOTO: Paula Bronstein/Getty Images
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People open umbrellas at the main protest site in Hong Kong on Tuesday, October 28. The umbrella has become the defining image of the protest movement, used to shield protesters from tear gas and the elements.
Riot police stand guard near a barricade in a protester-occupied area on Wednesday, October 22.
Photos: Photos: Hong Kong unrest 2014
PHOTO: Kin Cheung/AP
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Riot police stand guard near a barricade in a protester-occupied area on Wednesday, October 22.
Pro-democracy protesters at an occupied area outside the government headquarters in Hong Kong watch a live broadcast of talks between Hong Kong government officials and protesters on Tuesday, October 21.
Photos: Photos: Hong Kong unrest 2014
PHOTO: Vincent Yu/AP
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Pro-democracy protesters at an occupied area outside the government headquarters in Hong Kong watch a live broadcast of talks between Hong Kong government officials and protesters on Tuesday, October 21.
Police and protesters face each other across a barricade as tensions continue in Hong Kong on Monday, October 20.
Photos: Photos: Hong Kong unrest 2014
PHOTO: Paula Bronstein/Getty Images
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Police and protesters face each other across a barricade as tensions continue in Hong Kong on Monday, October 20.
Riot police advance on a pro-democracy protest encampment early Sunday, October 19.
Photos: Photos: Hong Kong unrest 2014
PHOTO: Vincent Yu/AP
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Riot police advance on a pro-democracy protest encampment early Sunday, October 19.
A woman reads on a road barricaded by pro-democracy protesters on October 19.
Photos: Photos: Hong Kong unrest 2014
PHOTO: Alex Ogle/AFP/Getty Images
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A woman reads on a road barricaded by pro-democracy protesters on October 19.
Police officers yell at pro-democracy protesters as they push forward in an attempt to clear a street on Saturday, October 18.
Photos: Photos: Hong Kong unrest 2014
PHOTO: Chris McGrath/Getty Images
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Police officers yell at pro-democracy protesters as they push forward in an attempt to clear a street on Saturday, October 18.
Pro-democracy protesters sleep next to a barricade on October 18 after reclaiming streets in Mong Kok after a night of violent scuffles with police.
Photos: Photos: Hong Kong unrest 2014
PHOTO: Paula Bronstein/Getty Images
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Pro-democracy protesters sleep next to a barricade on October 18 after reclaiming streets in Mong Kok after a night of violent scuffles with police.
A journalist collapses in agony after being hit in the face with pepper spray during clashes with police on Friday, October 17.
Photos: Photos: Hong Kong unrest 2014
PHOTO: Alex Ogle/AFP/Getty Images
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A journalist collapses in agony after being hit in the face with pepper spray during clashes with police on Friday, October 17.
Police use batons to hit pro-democracy protesters who are using raised umbrellas for protection on October 17.
Photos: Photos: Hong Kong unrest 2014
PHOTO: ANTHONY WALLACE/AFP/Getty Images
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Police use batons to hit pro-democracy protesters who are using raised umbrellas for protection on October 17.
Protesters and riot police officers face off at a main road on October 17.
Photos: Photos: Hong Kong unrest 2014
PHOTO: Vincent Yu/AP
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Protesters and riot police officers face off at a main road on October 17.
People shout at pro-democracy protesters on October 17.
Photos: Photos: Hong Kong unrest 2014
PHOTO: Vincent Yu/AP
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People shout at pro-democracy protesters on October 17.
Riot police clear out an encampment of protesters on October 17. Police swooped in early to dismantle the protest campsite.
Photos: Photos: Hong Kong unrest 2014
PHOTO: Wally Santana/AP
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Riot police clear out an encampment of protesters on October 17. Police swooped in early to dismantle the protest campsite.
Demonstrators remove their belongings from a protest camp early on October 17.
Photos: Photos: Hong Kong unrest 2014
PHOTO: Wally Santana/AP
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Demonstrators remove their belongings from a protest camp early on October 17.
Pro-democracy protesters break down as riot police clear their camp October 17.
Photos: Photos: Hong Kong unrest 2014
PHOTO: Wally Santana/AP
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Pro-democracy protesters break down as riot police clear their camp October 17.
Riot police remove barricades on October 17.
Photos: Photos: Hong Kong unrest 2014
PHOTO: Kin Cheung/AP
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Riot police remove barricades on October 17.
Hong Kong Chief Executive C.Y. Leung arrives for a news conference on October 16. He said talks would resume with students as early as next week, but he said street protests had caused severe disruption and could not continue.
Photos: Photos: Hong Kong unrest 2014
PHOTO: PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/Getty Images
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Hong Kong Chief Executive C.Y. Leung arrives for a news conference on October 16. He said talks would resume with students as early as next week, but he said street protests had caused severe disruption and could not continue.
Pro-democracy demonstrator Ken Tsang gets taken taken away by police before allegedly being beaten up in Hong Kong on October 15. Authorities have vowed to conduct an investigation into a widely circulated video that appears to show plainclothes officers kicking and punching the man.
Photos: Photos: Hong Kong unrest 2014
PHOTO: PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/Getty Images
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Pro-democracy demonstrator Ken Tsang gets taken taken away by police before allegedly being beaten up in Hong Kong on October 15. Authorities have vowed to conduct an investigation into a widely circulated video that appears to show plainclothes officers kicking and punching the man.
A police officer shouts at a protester who was hit with pepper spray on October 15.
Photos: Photos: Hong Kong unrest 2014
PHOTO: Alex Ogle/AFP/Getty Images
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A police officer shouts at a protester who was hit with pepper spray on October 15.
Pro-democracy protesters hide behind umbrellas to protect themselves from pepper spray on October 15.
Photos: Photos: Hong Kong unrest 2014
PHOTO: Anthony Kwan/Getty Images
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Pro-democracy protesters hide behind umbrellas to protect themselves from pepper spray on October 15.
Protesters move barriers as others block a main road in Hong Kong with metal and plastic safety barriers on October 15.
Photos: Photos: Hong Kong unrest 2014
PHOTO: Kin Cheung/AP
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Protesters move barriers as others block a main road in Hong Kong with metal and plastic safety barriers on October 15.
Police march toward pro-democracy protesters outside central government offices on October 15.
Photos: Photos: Hong Kong unrest 2014
PHOTO: PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/Getty Images
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Police march toward pro-democracy protesters outside central government offices on October 15.
Protesters gather near central government offices on October 15.
Photos: Photos: Hong Kong unrest 2014
PHOTO: Alex Ogle/AFP/Getty Images
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Protesters gather near central government offices on October 15.
Police move toward pro-democracy protesters during a standoff outside central government offices on October 14.
Photos: Photos: Hong Kong unrest 2014
PHOTO: PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/Getty Images
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Police move toward pro-democracy protesters during a standoff outside central government offices on October 14.