8 Detained and Taken Away in Hong Kong One Day Before the 34th Anniversary of Tiananmen Memorial

[Image source=AP·Yonhap News]

On the eve of the 34th anniversary of the Tiananmen democracy protests in Hong Kong, people attempting to commemorate the event were arrested and detained.

According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP) and others on the 4th, Lau Kai, a member of the "Tiananmen Mothers" group representing families of Tiananmen protest victims, and democracy activist Kwan Chun-fung were arrested near Victoria Park in Hong Kong the previous evening. Lau Kai, wearing a T-shirt with a candle drawing and the word "truth," shouted, "We will begin a fast at 6:04 PM to commemorate the Tiananmen victims."

Along with them, four others were also detained by the police: two holding white flowers symbolizing remembrance, a dentist carrying items with slogans related to the Tiananmen massacre, and a person holding paper white flowers. Hong Kong police announced in a statement on the night of the 3rd that four people were arrested on charges of disturbing order or inciting acts in public places, and another four were detained for disrupting public peace.

Victoria Park has been the site of large-scale candlelight vigils every June 4th evening for 31 years from 1990 to 2020, commemorating the victims of the Tiananmen protests. This was intended to honor those who died when Chinese authorities violently suppressed citizens demanding democracy at Beijing's Tiananmen Square in 1989.

Since 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the enforcement of the Hong Kong National Security Law, candlelight vigils at Victoria Park have not been held. In 2021 and last year on June 4th, police completely sealed off Victoria Park and blocked people's access. Police also intensified checkpoints and restricted gatherings in nearby areas.

Nevertheless, conflicts continue between people who come here to light candles and the police. A Hong Kong citizen who has attended the candlelight vigils since childhood told SCMP, "I plan to take a walk with friends on the evening of the 4th to commemorate. I believe some voluntary activities will take place. They will not disappear."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.