Dozens have attended an “alternative” English-language candlelight vigil outside Tsim Sha Tsui’s Cultural Centre to commemorate the 29th anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown.
The event was hosted by pro-democracy activists Michael Mo and Danny Chan. The Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the police did not give approval for them to host the event. They proceeded with the gathering and received verbal warnings from both authorities.
Mo said the 30-minute event was held for those who did not agree with the patriotic ideals of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, who organise the annual Victoria Park commemoration. He said it also served those who desire an English-language vigil.
He said that there should be an international court trial for those responsible for the Tiananmen Massacre.
The Tiananmen massacre ended months of student-led demonstrations in China as the People’s Liberation Army was deployed to crack down on protesters in Beijing. UK Foreign Office files declassified last year revealed that a member of the Chinese State Council estimated that at least 10,000 civilians were killed.
“I can actually feel there are more young faces here,” Mo said. “I hope this simple and peaceful event will not be the last, owing to the suppression by the government.”
Eric Tsui, a doctor who participated in the vigil, told HKFP that it was beneficial to have an alternative vigil for those who did not agree with the Alliance, who make calls for the democratisation of China.
“Such a vigil should be held every year – I saw this event, and so I came,” Tsui said.
A moment of silence was observed. Mo also read aloud poetic works by Liu Xia, widow of dissident Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo.
Activists first hosted a separate vigil in 2013. Localist group Civic Passion hosted alternative rallies on June 4 between 2014 and 2016. The group said the highest attendance was in 2014, attracting 7,000 people.
Our coverage today:
- Exclusive, unseen shots from Tiananmen 1989
- 115,000 attend Hong Kong’s Tiananmen Massacre vigil, organisers say.
- Dozens attend ‘alternative’ English-language vigil, marking 29 years since massacre
- Sister of late Tiananmen activist Li Wangyang thanks HK for demanding justice.
- Families of Tiananmen victims urge ‘truth, compensation, and accountability.
- ‘Remember the tragic loss’: US, China tussle over Tiananmen anniversary.
See also:
- In Pictures: Hong Kong activists display bust of late Nobel laureate.
- Demanding end to one party rule our ‘right’ says Tiananmen massacre rally organiser.
- No room for Tiananmen Massacre in new history curriculum.
- In Pictures: June 4, 1989 – the night the tanks rolled in.
- The Last Gunshot: The musical legacy of the 1989 Tiananmen Massacre.
Opinion:
- Why have so many Hongkongers developed amnesia over Tiananmen?
- The need for solidarity between all who oppose one-party dictatorship in China.
- Voices: An open letter to China’s Xi Jinping.
