Starting from June 9, a series of anti-authoritarian activities, including rallies, vigils, and demonstrations, were held in 27 cities worldwide to commemorate the Hong Kong anti-extradition bill movement that happened four years ago in Hong Kong. A veteran Australian media professional and Doctor of Politics from Hong Kong urged people to speak up for Hong Kong and the people suppressed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
“Liberate Hong Kong, Revolution of our times, Liberate Hong Kong, Revolution of our times…”
On the afternoon of June 10 at 3 p.m., many Hong Kongers and human rights organizations held a parade in Taipei with the theme “Rally for Hong Kong’s Democracy in Taipei, Taiwan.”
The parade of thousands of people shouted slogans such as “Resist Authoritarianism, Uphold Beliefs” and carried banners recounting the history of Hong Kong’s anti-communist movement.
A participant from Hong Kong said, “The evil side of the CCP or their means are terrifying, but we have not given up fighting for freedom, democracy, and human rights.”
Various groups participating in the demonstrations took turns speaking on a mobile stage to recall the development of Hong Kong’s democratic movement.
A Taiwanese participant said, “Today, we are not only here for our friends in Hong Kong but also for ourselves in Taiwan. We must take action to protect people from the Chinese government when it uses such brutal means against Chinese people, against Hong Kong people, and even against everyone else; we Taiwanese refuse this way and defend our true dignity.”
The organizers stated that by holding an annual protest to connect with dispersed Hong Kongers and continue the spirit of anti-extradition movements while reminding people currently suffering from CCP infiltration and threats.
Australian and Hong Kong veteran journalist and Doctor of Politics, Dr. Lin Bin stated, “We held the 4th anniversary of the anti-extradition bill movement and the 34th anniversary of the June 4 (Tiananmen Square massacre) vigil together. We had two events in Sydney and a seminar. We also held related activities in Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and many other cities.”
In Sydney, dozens of Hong Kongers held up banners reading “Liberate Hong Kong, Revolution of our times” while recounting CCP’s crimes and singing “Glory to Hong Kong.”
On June 11, hundreds of Hong Kongers gathered at Mel Lastman Square in North York to commemorate the 4th anniversary of the anti-extradition bill movement. The event called on fellow protesters to continue their fight against the CCP, with attendees stating that “anti-communism is a responsibility.”
Most participants were young immigrants from Hong Kong who wore black t-shirts or carried backpacks and gas masks reminiscent of frontline protesters. Banners reading “Liberate Hong Kong, Revolution of our times” and “Release political prisoners” were also displayed. Throughout the event, people chanted slogans such as “Down with the CCP, and Free Hong Kong,” “Free Tibet,” and “Fight for freedom.”
In addition to rallies and exhibitions in several cities in Taiwan and Canada, fourth-anniversary events were also held in San Francisco, Seattle, Washington DC, in the USA, Bristol, Bishop’s Cottage, Nottingham, Crawford, Reading, Southampton in the UK, Glasgow, Edinburgh, St. Andrews in Scotland, Frankfurt in German, and other cities worldwide.
On June 11, the largest gathering was held at London’s Parliament Square at 3 p.m., with over a thousand people in attendance, as The Epoch Times reporter on-site estimated. The rally was co-organized by the UK Hong Kong Association, the Hong Kong Support Fund, and HK Aid, with a backdrop on the stage reading “Resist British Communism (抵抗英國赤化)” in six Chinese characters.
- Publicly support Hong Kong people who have been victims of political persecution: including the release of Jimmy Lai (media tycoon) and other political prisoners who are British citizens;
- Close down Confucius Institutes in the UK;
- Ensure that British institutions uphold principles of free speech and cultural diversity;
- Expedite the approval process for political asylum seekers and provide a stable and safe space for them.
Nathan Law, who has been in exile since 2020, recounted his past decade of life, including his involvement in the student union at age 20, participation in the Umbrella Movement in 2014, election to the Legislative Council in 2016, and imprisonment in 2017.
He noted that fewer and fewer Hong Kong people are participating in rallies or political discussions in the UK, possibly due to fears of returning to Hong Kong.
However, he reminded them that it would be a waste if they did not use their freedom of assembly and political freedom.
He encouraged Hong Kong people in the UK to live a life that aligns with their values and reflect on what meaningful things they can do while living there.
At noon on June 11, “UK Stands With Hong Kong,” a Hong Kong organization in the southern English town of Reading, held a rally outside City Hall with an estimated 200 people in attendance, as observed by The Epoch Times reporter on site.
The emcee criticized the CCP’s tyranny over the past four years, which has destroyed Hong Kong beyond recognition and forced Hongkongers to scatter.
She admitted that although Hongkongers have felt powerless over the past four years, she hoped that rally participants would consider whether “doing nothing is useless” and whether “they upheld the original intentions.”
The anti-extradition movement began on June 9, 2019, when over one million people took to the streets to protest against the proposed extradition bill by the Hong Kong government. However, the regime refused to withdraw the bill.
On June 12, protesters surrounded the Legislative Council and were brutally suppressed by the Hong Kong police, leading to mass arrests. Under the “red terror,” Hong Kongers were forced to flee and hold anti-authoritarian activities worldwide.
Lin said, “Many things happened in 2019 during the anti-extradition movement. Hong Kong is now being suppressed so much that we are not allowed to assemble, protest, or do anything. However, Hong Kong people have this right in Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Western countries. We must stand out and keep speaking up for the CCP’s suppression of Hong Kong.”
In June 2020, the CCP introduced the Hong Kong National Security Law, arresting over 10,000 Hong Kong citizens. Lin said that Hong Kong people are struggling, and even middle-aged men couldn’t help but cry when talking about Hong Kong.
Lin stated, “At a recent event in Australia on June 12, they hoped for the release of all political prisoners in Hong Kong because these so-called charges were baseless. In the long run, they hope to fight for Hong Kong to return to the hands of its people.”
Lin once organized an event that a group of long-term pro-CCP members attacked, and some participants were violently pushed down. After reporting it to the police, the perpetrators were also punished. Lin pointed out that these people were all instructed by the CCP.
Lin urged Hong Kong citizens who have obtained citizenship from other countries to participate in politics and become democratic representatives to speak up for suffering Hong Kong and Chinese citizens, and meanwhile, conjugate the Chinese legislators who infiltrate democracies and speak for the CCP.
