Thousands return to Hong Kong streets for pro-democracy protest after talks collapse

A picture of Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying is hanged on a pole next to some barricades on a main road in the occupied areas at Causeway Bay district in Hong Kong, Friday, Oct. 10, 2014. A pro-democracy protest that has blocked main roads in Hong Kong for almost two weeks could drag on for days yet, after talks aimed at resolving a bitter standoff between the city's government and student demonstrators collapsed Thursday. The Chinese words read: "When divided up, see who will be most happy." (AP Photo/Vincent Yu) (The Associated Press)

An umbrella is displayed on a fence next to a Chinese flag at the government headquarters in Hong Kong's Admiralty, Friday, Oct. 10, 2014. A pro-democracy protest that has blocked main roads in Hong Kong for almost two weeks could drag on for days yet, after talks aimed at resolving a bitter standoff between the city's government and student demonstrators collapsed Thursday. The slogan on the umbrella reads: "Are you isolated from the world?" (AP Photo/Kin Cheung) (The Associated Press)

A model, left, poses for a fashion photo shooting as a protester sits on a main road in the occupied areas outside government headquarters in Hong Kong's Admiralty, Friday, Oct. 10, 2014. A pro-democracy protest that has blocked main roads in Hong Kong for almost two weeks could drag on for days yet, after talks aimed at resolving a bitter standoff between the city's government and student demonstrators collapsed Thursday. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung) (The Associated Press)

Thousands of people are pouring into a main road in Hong Kong to show support for a pro-democracy protest after the government called off talks with student leaders.

After a week that saw flagging support for the civil disobedience movement, crowds were surging again Friday evening.

Tens of thousands of people have occupied the semiautonomous Chinese city's streets in the past two weeks to demand a greater say in choosing the city's leader. Traffic through three of Hong Kong's busiest districts has been blocked by protesters, who have camped in main thoroughfares and streets.

The government has repeatedly urged protesters to allow the city to return to normal, saying their activities are illegal.

But student leaders have vowed to stay until the government responds to their demands.