<span style="color: #222222;">Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters defied authorities to hold unsanctioned marches through Hong Kong today. <br />''<br />''Riot police yesterday fired rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse another illegal gathering, plunging the financial hub deeper into crisis.<br />''<br />''Huge crowds made their way through the main island's streets despite a police ban. <br />''<br />''Officials had initially only given permission for a rally in a park in the commercial district known as Central, but the crowds quickly spilt into the surrounding streets.<br />''<br />''Some headed east to Causeway Bay, a popular shopping district, where they then erected barricades and took over the main thoroughfare as shops and malls shuttered.<br />''<br />''Another group headed west towards the Liason Office — the department that represents China's central government — which was guarded by lines of riot police. Tensions rose as the standoff ensued.<br />''<br />''The latest march comes a day after a town near the border with mainland China descended into chaos as police battled protesters holding another banned rally against suspected pro-government triad gangs who beat up democracy demonstrators there last weekend.</span><br />