On the 31st anniversary of Tiananmen - Support the Chinese peoples' struggle for democracy

By Dilip -
Hong Kong protesters hold banned vigil as anthem law is passed
Thousands of people have defied a police ban in Hong Kong to mourn the victims of the Tiananmen Square massacre, after the city’s legislature passed a law criminalising the mockery of China’s national anthem. Many fear this year’s commemoration of the events of 4 June 1989 might be Hong Kong’s last, as China has approved a plan to impose national security laws on the semi-autonomous city that would prevent and punish “acts and activities” that threaten national security.
Miao Deshun was one of 1,600 Chinese people jailed after the mass pro-democracy demonstrations in Tiananmen Square in 1989.
The police had for the first time in three decades banned the annual candlelight vigil in Victoria Park, citing the coronavirus pandemic.  Unlike past years, no organised ceremony was allowed on Thursday as police refused to give activists a permit. Police loudhailers repeatedly played a message warning people against participating in unapproved gatherings, although only small groups of police stood guard outside the park and did not stop people from entering. 

Mourners young and old held candle lights and chanted slogans. Unlike past years when they mostly called for the vindication of the 1989 movement, many were shouting slogans calling for independence from China, such as “Hong Kong Independence, only way!”, “Hong Kong, build our own nation!” and “Free Hong Kong, democracy now!” Some burst into choruses of the unofficial anthem of the anti-government protests: “Glory to Hong Kong.”

 “What happened in Tiananmen showed the true nature of the Communist party,” said Lawrence, a 25-year-old retailer, who said he would not be intimidated by the national security laws. “Instead of being silenced, I’d rather sacrifice myself for freedom. If we have no freedom, it makes no difference whether you’re in jail or not.”...
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/04/hong-kong-tiananmen-vigil-ban-china-national-anthem-bill-protest

Minxin Pei - China’s historical amnesia




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