Hong Kongers will be forced to break a tradition they've been observing for 32 years. Hong Kong police have told citizens that commemorating the Tiananmen Square massacre would put them at the risk of breaking the law. Every year since the incident in 1989, Hong Kong citizens have held a candlelight vigil to commemorate the victims.
Discussion of the crackdown that saw the Chinese government bring down tanks and troops on peaceful protesters, is forbidden in mainland China. Hong Kong hasn't been able to hold a vigil commemorating the incident since Beijing came down hard upon the 2019 pro-democracy protests and imposed the National Security law.
Last two years the government prevented citizens from gathering to hold vigil by citing the pandemic as a reason. Last year thousands of riot police were put on standby. Senior superintendent Liauw Ka-Kei told the Guardian, “When there are other people there, and you share a common goal to express some appeals, that’s already sufficient to make you a member of an unlawful assembly.” People will be in violation of the law even if they go to Victoria Park and just bring candles or flowers. Anniversary of the horrid incident is on June 4.
