Hong Kongers get creative as authorities ban Tiananmen vigil

During 2020's Tiananmen vigil, Hong Kong police took a back seat once crowds massed and then dispersed peacefully in Victoria Park

Hong Kongers are seeking innovative ways to commemorate the victims of China's deadly Tiananmen Square crackdown after authorities banned an annual vigil and vowed to stamp out any protests come Friday's anniversary.

Discussion of tanks and troops quelling peaceful democracy protesters in Beijing on June 4, 1989 is all but forbidden in the mainland and there is heavy censorship of the images from the crackdown so well known in the rest of the world.

Last year's vigil was banned for the first time because of the coronavirus, but thousands defied police and rallied anyway.

This year's vigil has been banned again, ostensibly because of the coronavirus -- although Hong Kong has not recorded an unexplained locally transmitted case in more than a month.

So Hong Kongers are getting creative. 

"It is time to redistribute them to the people of Hong Kong so they can collect them, preserve them and put them in a safe place," Wong told AFP.

"Each burned candle contains a person's mourning towards those who sacrificed themselves in pursuit of democracy, as well as one's longing for democracy, a mix of complex emotions," explained Wong.

- Zero tolerance -

Authorities appear to be taking a more proactive approach this year. 

Hong Kong's Security Bureau has warned that attending an unlawful protest can carry five years in jail, and one year for those who publicise rallies.

Security Minister John Lee has said the security law will be used against anyone who "organises, plans or carries out any illegal means to damage or overthrow the fundamental system under the Chinese constitution".

The inspectors said the venue was operating without the required licences and the museum closed its doors the following day.

But activists say authorities will struggle to eliminate all acts of commemoration in a city that still seethes with resentment towards Beijing after 2019's huge and often violent democracy protests were stamped out.

Albert Ho -- a now-jailed former lawmaker and one of the vigil organisers -- suggested Hong Kongers could light candles or shine mobile phone lights in their local neighbourhoods.

Social media presents another avenue. 

"Guard the truth and refuse to forget," Pak said on Facebook.

District councillor Debby Chan said she plans to mourn Tiananmen by holding a poetry reading and sharing session with residents in her neighbourhood.

"This is one of the most signature events of our movement. If we give up now, the red lines will only come closer in the future."

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