As democracy protests in Hong Kong intensify an unlikely object has become the symbol of the movement. The umbrella is the most indispensable piece of gear carried by the protesters. Umbrellas are being used as shields from tear gas, canvasses for protest message and as shelter from rain and the heat of the sun.
A protester raises his umbrellas in front of tear gas which was fired by riot police to disperse protesters blocking the main street to the financial Central district outside the government headquarters in Hong Kong. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu
Ubiquitous images in Hong Kong media with masses of unarmed students fending off pepper spray with umbrellas could not contrast more starkly with mainland China's virtual blackout of news about the pro-democracy protests. The Associated Press/Vincent Yu
A protester sits under umbrellas as she blocks the main street to the financial Central district outside the government headquarters in Hong Kong. REUTERS/Carlos Barria
Protesters take shelter from the rain under umbrellas as they block the main street to the financial Central district in Hong Kong. REUTERS/Carlos Barria
Pro-democracy protesters hold umbrellas under heavy rain in a main street near the government headquarters in Hong Kong. The Associated Press
A barricade made of metal gates and umbrellas in the central financial district, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2014, in Hong Kong. The Associated Press/Wong Maye-E
Umbrellas are stacked at the protest site for pro-democracy activists' use if they need to shield themselves from pepper spray. The Associated Press/Wong Maye-E
Student activists sleep in the shade of umbrellas, on a road near the government headquarters where pro-democracy activists have gathered and made camp. The Associated Press/Wong Maye-E
A protester sleeps under an umbrella as she blocks a street outside the government headquarters in Hong Kong September 30, 2014. REUTERS/Carlos Barria