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Hong Kong Marks One Month of Student Protests


Protesters in Hong Kong are marking one month since the beginning of their student-led pro-democracy demonstrations.

The date on Tuesday comes amid an impasse between the protesters and authorities in the semiautonomous Chinese territory.

Protesters want Beijing to repeal its decision to screen candidates for the territory's 2017 election for chief executive.

Authorities have refused, instead declaring the gatherings to be illegal and cracking down on the protesters several times.

George Wong, one of the protesters camped out in the city's Admiralty district Tuesday, said he is ready for a "long-term fight."

"It's indeed a marathon instead of a sprint. And I do have the feeling that… we're not willing to give up without a fight, and we are here to stay," said Wong.

On Tuesday, the protesters will hold a 87-second moment of silence. This represents the number of times authorities fired tear gas into the crowd on the first day of the demonstrations.

The main group organizing the protests, Occupy Central, has called on those attending the vigil to wear protective clothing such as goggles and carry umbrellas, which protesters used to shield themselves from the tear gas.

Student leaders last week failed to narrow their differences during a televised dialogue with senior Hong Kong leaders.

Government officials have offered to send a report to Beijing noting the protesters' dissatisfaction with the 2017 election plans.

They have also offered to hold additional dialogue sessions if the student leaders agree to end their protests.

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