Hundreds gather in Hong Kong to mark anniversary of protests

A pro-democracy protester rises a yellow umbrella, the symbol of the Occupy Central movement, in front of a line of policemen during a rally outside government headquarters in Hong Kong, China September 28, 2015. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu

HONG KONG (Reuters) - About 1,000 pro-democracy activists rallied outside Hong Kong government headquarters on Monday to mark the first anniversary of protests that crippled parts of the Chinese-controlled city for weeks but failed to secure electoral reforms.

The demonstrations last year, when activists streamed on to highways to demand full democracy, became the biggest political challenge to Beijing's Communist Party leaders in years.