The Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China has received a police notice banning their annual commemorative candlelight vigil for the 1989 Tiananmen Massacre victims for the first time in 30 years. The authorities cited the Covid-19 group gathering ban. However, there are fears the vigil in Causeway Bay’s Victoria Park – where attendees call for an end to one-party rule – may never happen again in light of the looming national security law.
Thursday marks the 31st anniversary of the crackdown in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square where the military’s intervention against a student-led movement resulted in hundreds, perhaps thousands of deaths. HKFP rounds up alternative commemorative events across the city.
Literary readings
PEN Hong Kong and Cha: An Asian Literary Journal are organising English-language readings over Zoom on Wednesday evening at 8pm. Events details are on Facebook.
“To honour the struggle of the democracy protesters, mourn their defeat, and take stock of the last three decades and more, PEN Hong Kong and Cha: An Asian Literary Journal are gathering a group of writers from Hong Kong and overseas on Wednesday 3 June 2020 to read selected texts that they feel reflect their remembrance of the protests, their views on democracy, and their hopes for the future for Hong Kong and China,” they wrote.
Victoria Park
The Alliance – the annual vigil organiser – said they will nevertheless go to Victoria Park in groups of eight, in accordance with disease control regulations which prohibit public gatherings of more than eight people.
They encourage the public to light candles at 8pm, observe a minute’s silence at 8:09pm and upload a photo of themselves mourning to social media platforms under the hashtag #6431truth.
Other than vigils organised by the Alliance, various district councillors and citizens are also planning to commemorate the massacre.
Mong Kok
- Time: 8pm (light up candles), 8:09pm (observe a minute of silence).
- Venue: Gather around the sculpture outside Langham Place mall.
Whampoa
- Time: 3:30pm-8pm (street stall), 8pm-10pm (vigil and movie screening).
- Venue: Whampoa promenade.
Tsuen Wan
- Time: 8pm (light up candles), 8:09pm (observe a minute of silence).
- Venue: Sai Lau Kok Garden, Tsuen Wan Park (exit at Yeung Uk Road), outside Tsuen Wan District Council, Lei Muk Shue Shopping Centre, Tsuen Wan Centre, Tsuen Wan Plaza, footbridge opposite to Citistore, Belvedere Garden Phase 3 water fountain, Citywalk footbridge, Rhine Garden in Sham Tseng, Shek Wai Kok shopping centre.
Lamma Island / Central ferry piers
- Time: 4pm-7pm on Thursday.
- Venue: Yung Shue Wan.
Also: - Venue: Candle street stalls at Central Pier.
- Time: 4pm-6:30pm on Tuesday, 6pm-8:30pm on Wednesday.
Tai Po
- Time: 8pm.
- Venue: Tai Po Plaza.
Kwai Tsing
- Time: 7:30pm.
- Venue: Shek Lei shopping centre.
- Time: 5pm
- Venue: Kwai Chung Plaza, Tai Wo Hau MTR exit B, Yin Lai Court Shopping Centre
Online tributes
The Alliance has also joined hands with pro-democracy activist groups worldwide on the day. Messages under the hashtag #6431truth will be uploaded to an online interactive wall.
Lai Chi Kok on the eve of June 4
- Time: 7:30pm on Wednesday
- Venue: outside Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre
There have been calls online for crowds to gather outside Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre on the eve of June 4. Participants will commemorate Tiananmen Massacre victims and echo support with protesters currently detained inside the correctional facility.
Meanwhile, organiser of an alternative memorial at Tsim Sha Tsui Clock Tower announced the cancellation of their annual English-language vigil.
Correction 21.6: A previous version of this article made reference to the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements in China as opposed to the correctly named Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China.
