Both Hong Kong and Macao authorities have banned residents from participating in events in memory of the 1989 Tiananmen Square pro-democracy protests, days prior to June 4—a historic day when leaders of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) ordered a massacre of anti-regime protesters.
On June 1, Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam emphasized during a press briefing that all agencies, groups, media outlets, and schools should conform to the Beijing-imposed National Security Law as June 4 approaches.
When asked if residents are allowed under the draconian law to shout any slogan like “End One-Party Rule,” Lam evaded the question. Instead, she responded that there should be no activities against China’s Constitution in Hong Kong.
At the same time, the city’s pro-Beijing authorities prohibited the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China from holding their annual candlelight vigil in Victoria Park on May 29, as well as blocking a demonstration to honor the 32nd anniversary of the June 4 incident.
Activist Alexandra Wong, a white-haired local senior citizen, was arrested by a large group of police officers on a charge of “unauthorized assembly” on May 31 as she showed up alone at Southorn Playground in Wan Chai—the starting point of the proposed parade route. She held protest signs and was planning to walk the banned route to the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government—the CCP’s highest authority in the city. She was released after a night’s detention.
On the same day, John Shum, a social activist and film producer, called on fellow Hongkongers to show their stance in an interview with international studies scholar Simon Shen.
“We should be loyal to our conscience no matter what happens to Hong Kong or what pressure we may face,” Shum said. He suggested Hongkongers hold a candle by their window on the evening of June 4 as an expression of their thoughts.
BY FRANK YUE
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