Pro-democracy demonstrators in Hong Kong remained defiant and on the streets on Tuesday evening.

Despite the rain, tens of thousands of people, part of the Occupy Central movement, continued calling for reforms and for Beijing to give Hong Kong a free vote for its next leader, something Beijing has rejected.

They have called on the chief executive, Leung Chun-ying, to step down or say they will continue the demonstrations.

Student protest leader, Alex Chow, said: “Actually, C.Y. Leung is still waiting for Beijing’s command for how he would respond at this point to Hong Kong dissidents’ act. Because the current situation is totally out of C.Y. Leung’s control.”

The Hong Kong executive has told protesters to go home and rejected their demands.

“Any changes to the electoral system will have to be made through the electoral committee, not by the community.” Leung Chun-ying said.

The movement has been dubbed “the umbrella revolution” – a reference to the umbrellas carried by protesters to ward off teargas and pepper spray.

Larger crowds are expected to flood the streets on Wednesday which is China’s National Day holiday.