Pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong swelled in number on Monday, despite the use of tear gas over the weekend by riot police. More students left school to join the Occupy Central movement, as the government announced it had withdrawn riot police early Monday morning.

The protesters oppose the Chinese Communist Party’s decision to allow only candidates approved by Beijing to run for chief executive, the city’s top leadership post, in 2017.

The election represents the first time the chief executive will be directly elected by the public. Activists say that by only allowing voters to choose from candidates pre-approved by Beijing, the China is reneging on its promise to grant Hong Kong’s citizens universal suffrage.

Student groups, including high school students, have boycotted classes and joined the protests, which have expanded from the business districts of Central and Admiralty to bustling Wanchai and the Causeway Bay shopping district.

Hong Kong’s Education Bureau announced early this morning that classes were suspended for schools in the Wanchai, Central and Western districts.

Several unions including the Hong Kong Professional Teachers’ Union have called for workers to go on strike and join the pro-democracy protests. More people began joining the protests as the work day ended.

Authorities have continued to urge crowds to disperse peacefully.

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