Police sealed off Hong Kong’s Victoria Park on Saturday, blocking access to the only venue in China where the commemoration of the crackdown on June 4, 1989 in Beijing has traditionally been allowed over the past 30 years. Police made six arrests – for unauthorised assembly, obstructing police and for possession of an offensive weapon. The ban on the vigil in recent years left the park barricaded and empty, in stark contrast to the sea of candle lights for which it has become synonymous.

Victoria Park Tiananmen crackdown vigil Hong Kong empty ban 2022
Victoria Park is empty as commemorative activities to mark the Tiananmen crackdown in 1989 are muted across Hong Kong. Photo: HKFP.
June 4 Tiananmen Square Massacre Victoria Park 2021
Victoria Park was empty on June 4 for the first time in 32 years in 2021. Photo: Kevin Cheng/United Social Press.
Tiananmen Massacre vigil in 2020
The Tiananmen Massacre vigil in 2020. Photo: Dominic Chiu/HKFP.
Photo: Todd Darling/HKFP.
2019. Photo: Todd R. Darling/HKFP.
tiananmen vigil
2018 Photo: Anthony Wallace/AFP.
1989 Tiananmen Massacre vigil
2017. Photo: Catherine Lai/HKFP.
tiananmen vigil
2016. Photo: Anthony Wallace/AFP.
tiananmen vigil
2015. Photo: Dale De La Rey/AFP.
tiananmen vigil
2014. Photo: Philippe Lopez/AFP.
tiananmen vigil
2013. Photo: Philippe Lopez/AFP.
tiananmen vigil
2012. Photo: Philippe Lopez/AFP.
tiananmen vigil
2011. Photo: Mike Clarke/AFP.
tiananmen vigil
2010. Photo: Mike Clarke/AFP.
tiananmen vigil
2009. Photo: Mike Clarke/AFP.
tiananmen vigil
2008. Photo: Mike Clarke/AFP.
tiananmen vigil
2007. Photo: Mike Clarke/AFP.
tiananmen vigil
2006. Photo: Ted Aljibe.
tiananmen vigil
2004. Photo: Richard A Brooks/AFP.
tiananmen vigil
2000. Photo: Ira Chaplain/AFP.
tiananmen vigil
1998. Photo: Peter Parks/AFP.
tiananmen vigil
1990. Photo: Mike Fiala/AFP.

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Hong Kong Free Press is a new, non-profit, English-language news source seeking to unite critical voices on local and national affairs. Free of charge and completely independent, HKFP arrives amid rising concerns over declining press freedom in Hong Kong and during an important time in the city’s constitutional development.