Many also said that the Umbrella Movement may have been the politest protest ever. Protesters at the Admiralty camp, which included many teenagers or college students, set up tents to stay overnight, wrote signs to apologize for the traffic shutdown, and recycled garbage at the site. There was even a study zone for students, with electricity and wifi.

A study area along the main street at the Admiralty camp.
A study area along the main street at the Admiralty camp.
Image: Reuters/Carlos Barria

On Oct. 21, several student protest leaders from the university group the Hong Kong Federation of Students met with government officials for a televised debate for the first time. Nothing came out of the talks.

Protesters watch the talk at the Admiralty camp.
Protesters watch the talk at the Admiralty camp.
Image: Reuters/Carlos Barria

On Oct. 23, a large banner reading ”I want true universal suffrage” was hung up on Hong Kong’s iconic and heavily symbolic Lion Rock mountain.

“I want true universal suffrage.”
“I want true universal suffrage.”
Image: Reuters/Tyrone Siu

On Nov. 18, court-appointed bailiffs cleared part of the protest camp at Admiralty, after an injunction was granted to a nearby building’s owner by the High Court.

Building employees dismantle a barricade outside Citic Tower in accordance with a court injunction to clear up part of the protest site.
Building employees dismantle a barricade outside Citic Tower in accordance with a court injunction to clear up part of the protest site.

On Nov. 26, authorities demolished the Mong Kok camp after similar injunctions were granted to transport companies. Activists clashed with police and attempted to retake the site in the following days.

Protesters fall on the ground as they are chased by riot police in Mong Kok on Nov. 29, 2014.
Protesters fall on the ground as they are chased by riot police in Mong Kok on Nov. 29, 2014.
Image: Reuters/Tyrone Siu

On Dec. 3, the three original co-founders of “Occupy Central” held a press conference, announcing their intention to surrender to police and urged students to retreat for their safety, though the protests had by that point long become a decentralized movement.

Occupy Central founders, with Benny Tai in the middle.
Occupy Central founders, with Benny Tai in the middle.
Image: Reuters/Bobby Yip

On Dec. 6, student leader Joshua Wong ended his four-day hunger strike. Wong, now 19, and two other student leaders were sentenced to community service last month for their roles in the protests.

Joshua Wong during the hunger strike.
Joshua Wong during the hunger strike.
Image: Reuters/Bobby Yip

On Dec. 11, the main camp at Admiralty was entirely torn down by police. Protesters didn’t resist.

The beginning of the end, or end of the beginning?
The beginning of the end, or end of the beginning?
Image: AP Photo/Kin Cheung

On Dec. 15, the last remaining site at Causeway Bay was dismantled by police, marking an end to the 79-day long protests.

A worker removes masking tape left on a road sign by protesters during the clearance at the last Occupy protest site in Causeway Bay.
A worker removes masking tape left on a road sign by protesters during the clearance at the last Occupy protest site in Causeway Bay.
Image: Reuters/Athit PerawongmethaS

This week, one student leader, Nathan Law, shared a reflective photo from outside the Civic Square where it all started. This time, though, he’s got a pass to get in—he’s one of Hong Kong’s legislators.

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