Hong Kong's pro-democracy protestors vowed to continue Saturday despite arrests of 61 people following a night of struggle around the main government compound.

Police arrested protestors at the compound during a night marked by fights and violence in which at least 30 people were injured. The last of those arrested reportedly chanted "no fear for civil disobedience" as they were placed under custody.

Like Us on Facebook

Some protestors however, remained at the area around the compound as of Saturday morning.

Led by students and pro-democracy activists, protestors were marching under the Occupy Central banner. They railed against Beijing's decision to back away from holding completely democratic Hong Kong elections in 2017.

Occupy Central put out a statement saying police opened up with pepper spray and unnecessary force on peaceful protestors. Police action violated their conduct code and trampled on the right of freedom to expression, Occupy Central said.

The central Hong Kong government complex occupation began around 10:30 p.m. Friday, local time. Students and fellow protestors went over security fences to gain entry, then broke down barriers to let in more people.

Police re-established a cordon around the compound late Friday before hauling away the last arrested protestors early Saturday. Most were detained on suspicion of unlawfully assembling and occupying government buildings. One man was arrested for having a weapon.

Protests over the 2017 elections began in June, quickly gaining support. Authorities began restricting access to the popular government complex area in July.

Continuing protests fueled by students reached a fever pitch this month with thousands of students holding a night-time vigil Thursday outside the home of CY Leung, Hong Kong chief executive.

Students were expected to hold a massive protest on Wednesday, Oct. 1 and block the city's financial district.

Since the "one country, two systems" political arrangement was established in Hong Kong, following its return to China from Great Britain, protests were considered legal in the city.

However, the decision by China to declare candidates for the 2017 chief executive position must be approved by an official nominating committee sparked these protests that now have resulted in arrests.

TagsHong Kong, Hong Kong pro-democracy, hong kong protests 2014, hong kong protests, CY Leung, occupy central