Hong Kong confirmed Friday (November 15) that it has fallen into recession after months of protests.

It's the first contraction in a decade, and comes as the city braces for what's likely to be yet another weekend of protest.

They've surged over the past week, spreading into daylight hours, and Friday was no different.

Flash mobs once again flooded the financial center, many of them office workers on their lunch break.

And activists blocked roads in parts of the city causing traffic snarls -- and forcing schools to close.

Friday's figures showed GDP contracted for a second consecutive quarter.

It shrank 3.2% in the three months to September.

Retail, small shops especially, and tourism have been hardest hit by the protests, but the U.S.-China trade war has also taken a toll.

The city's anti-government movement even spilled onto the streets of London Thursday (November 14).

Justice Secretary Teresa Cheng was chased by protesters shouting "shame" and "murderer".

At one point she fell.

Cheng played a key role in pushing the unpopular extradition bill that ignited Hong Kong's protests in the first place.

It was the first direct clash between protesters and a government minister.

Back in the Asian financial hub -- after days of clashes with police -- thousands of university students remain hunkered down behind makeshift roadblocks and barricades.

One alumna from Polytechnic University said the ongoing standoff was hard to watch.

(SOUNDBITE) (Cantonese) COMMUTER AND ALUMNA OF HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY DORIS LO, SAYING:

"Of course my heart breaks to see this situation. I think campus life should be a happy time for all university students, but look at the situation now I think a lot of people need to take responsibility, but especially the government."

Police are also investigating the death of a 70-year-old man on Thursday.

He was apparently hit by a brick thrown by a protester.