A mass sit-in that has shut down Hong Kong’s CBD is continuing to grow, presenting the Chinese Government with one of its biggest political challenges since the Tiananmen Square crackdown 25 years ago.

Despite orders to disperse, protestors have prepared themselves for more clashes with police, donning protective gear and face masks in expectation of more tear gas and pepper spray attacks.

• The protest that shut down Hong Kong’s CBD
• Hong Kong, China tension rises

The peaceful demonstration turned violent on Sunday night when riot police fired tear gas into the crowd and brandished guns at protestors in an attempt to move them.

Thousands of pro-democracy demonstrators have been camped outside government headquarters since Friday, blocking one of the city’s major thoroughfares in the financial district.

Reuters estimates that 80,000 protestors have flooded the streets despite orders to disperse, with thousands keeping a round-the-clock vigil.

Stunning pictures from the scene continue to dominate social media, showing a sea of people in a crowd that appears to be growing.

RT @Iearnsomething: This is what the protests in Hong Kong look like right now. pic.twitter.com/GZIcRAAWlE When does the Tiananmen part begin?

— Andrew Richardson (@BazingaJournal) September 29, 2014

.@AP Photo: Thousands of pro-democracy protesters gather at Hong Kong’s Mongkok district on Monday pic.twitter.com/AKcadyg5Bk

— BuzzFeed News (@BuzzFeedNews) September 29, 2014

The protests come as the Chinese government insists on vetting candidates in the 2017 election for Hong Kong’s next leader.

This picture illustrates why Hong Kong is the new playground for mesh networking. Driven by need, enabled by density pic.twitter.com/3Us5gxnDFI — Frederic Jacobs (@FredericJacobs) September 29, 2014

Huge crowds outside #Hongkong govt HQ, visibly larger than yest. Much lighter police presence so far pic.twitter.com/t2exUQAGgN — Philip Wen (@PhilipWen11) September 29, 2014