June 4, 2023, is the 34th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre.
The government in Hong Kong has stopped all large-scale remembrance events since passing the Hong Kong National Security Law.
Still, The Hong Kong Police sent thousands of officers and military armored cars to Victoria Park in Causeway Bay.
The police patrolled the streets of Hong Kong and took away many Hongkongers who were mourning June 4.
Hong Kong groups or organizations in at least 30 cities worldwide held candlelight vigils to commemorate the day.
Since June 2, the Hong Kong police have deployed many riot police in Hong Kong to stop citizens from mourning June 4 and its 34th anniversary on the streets.
On June 4, The Hong Kong Police deployed thousands of officers to heavily guard the Causeway Bay area, from Victoria Park, Causeway MTR exits, to Sogo—many police tactical vehicles parked on the streets and military-grade Sabortooth armored vehicles parked on the streets.
Victoria Park, which used to be the place for June 4 annual candlelight vigil activities for 30 consecutive years, was rented by pro-communist groups to hold a flea market. Tapes encircled unoccupied areas.
There are police officers on guard and patrols inside and outside Victoria Park. Reporters of The Epoch Times tried to enter Victoria Park and were immediately asked to show their ID cards and register information. Some police officers said all media persons should write down their information.
Hongkongers in Black
Police intercepted citizens in Causeway Bay. Police searched the citizens and took some of them into police cars. The police also set up the blockade and tents outside Sogo as a checkpoint to inspect and verify people’s identities. Some of whom were wearing black clothing.At around 2 p.m., a male wearing a black T-shirt, white baseball cap, and a mask with the words, Hong Kong Add Oil, was stopped by the police at Paterson Street. Police released him upon inspection.
The shoulder straps of the male’s backpack had the word “Conscience.”
The masked man told reporters he went to Victoria Park to grab a bite but cooperated after being stopped by the police for his ID card.
He did not think there was a problem with his mask. “What is wrong with me being happy about Hong Kong? I live in Hong Kong; hence the words “Hong Kong” are on my mask. If I lived in New Territories, it would have been “New Territories.”
*I think there is a mistake in Chinese. It should be “What is wrong with caring about Hong Kong?” Or “Happy Hong Kong”
Tsang Kin-shing, or “The Bull,” a Democrat Social League member, was seen to be walking with a woman in black with gray hair in Causeway Bay.
They were followed at one point by the police. When they entered Victoria Park, police stopped them to examine their belongings. The officers also marked down their information before letting them go.
At around 4 p.m., Ms. Cheung, who wore all-black clothing and a mask, was stopped and searched by the police.
After the police let her go, Ms. Cheung told the reporters that the police asked her to cooperate, and she let them check her ID and backpack.
Although the police did not say why, she did not ask either. “Everyone knows what day it is today.” She hinted. As for her fashion choice, Ms. Cheung said, Ï dress like this every day. 365 days.”
The police also stopped another woman. She wore a yellow mask, black top, and yellow socks with a “Hong Kong Add Oil” print. While being searched, she held up a card that said Conscience. The police took the women later onto a police vehicle.
Wong Fung-yiu, popularly known as Grandma Wong, showed up in Causeway Bay wearing black and with flowers. She held up the hand gesture of “5“ and “1” (Five demands. Not One Less). The police immediately directed her to the police van.
The police’s stop and search did not spare Hongkongers wearing black. A man holding a theater novel, “The 35th of May,” was taken by the police after being searched.
At around 6 p.m., a man in black carrying a candle near Victoria Park was stopped by the police. The police also taped and blocked the area and checked his backpack.
During the search, the police officer accidentally dropped the man’s camera. The disgruntled man started to argue with the police officer and was eventually taken into a police vehicle. One police officer told him that they would take him to the police station.
At around 6 p.m., police stopped the Former Chairperson of the Hong Kong Journalist Association, Mak Yin-ting, and took her away outside Causeway Plaza, claiming they had to search her.
At about 7 p.m., Chan Po-ying, chairman of the League of Social Democrats, arrived at Great George Street with yellow paper flowers and electronic candles. But she was stopped by the police soon after. A large number of police officers surrounded Chan. A male police officer yanked Chan’s backpack, which caused Chan to become distressed, before taking her forcibly onto the police van.
Chan Po-ying is the wife of Long Hair, Leung Kwok-hung, a former Legislative Council member and a social activist, who is currently in jail after being convicted under the National Security Law.
June 4 Hunger Strike in Prison
A little after midnight on June 4, a Facebook concern group of Chow Hang-tung posted on Facebook saying that the Barrister and Former Vice Chairperson of the now-defunct group the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China (HK Alliance), Tonyee Chow Hang-tung, would be on a hunger strike for 34 hours in prison starting on June 4.The group also shared a quote by Chow, “Victoria Park is wherever the candlelight is.” Hashtags of “Mourning Is not Crime,” “6434 Justice,” “Tell The Truth,” “Refuse to Forget,” “Seeking Justice,” and “Calling For Conscience” followed.
Chow was sent to solitary confinement for another reason, at the same time as her hunger strike began.
June 4 Prayers in Churches
Bishop Chow Sau-yan of the Catholic Diocese in Hong Kong posted a prayer on June 4 morning and expressed that June 4 was an incredibly thought-provoking date for Hongkongers. The bishop wishes the victims in the arms of the Lord for eternity. The bishop added, “Let the hardened hearts articulate and release their deepest fear and anxiety gradually.”Father Thomas Law of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church said that at the beginning of a mass, he remembered June 4, 34 years ago, as if it happened yesterday, and the events still lived in his memory vividly. At the time, the church rang mourning bells.
US Consulate Lit With Candles
On June 3, 2023, the U.S. State Department of State released a statement on the 34th anniversary of the Tiananmen Massacre. The department announced its diligence in promoting human rights and freedoms in China and worldwide.“Tomorrow, we observe the 34th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre. On June 4, 1989, the Government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) sent tanks into Tiananmen Square to brutally repress peaceful Chinese pro-democracy protesters and bystanders alike. The victims’ bravery will not be forgotten and continues to inspire advocates for these principles around the world. The United States will continue advocating for people’s human rights and fundamental freedoms in China and worldwide.”
The World Remembers
United States
U.S. Secretary of State Antony John Blinken said on June 4, 1989, that the Chinese government sent tanks into Tiananmen Square to brutally repress democratic protesters and bystanders in a peaceful assembly in China. Blinken said the victims’ courage would never be forgotten and would continue to inspire the world.He added that the United States will continue to advocate human rights and fundamental freedom in China and worldwide.
In addition, before the special day, the U.S. Consulate General in Hong Kong and Macao changed its Facebook cover image with lit candlelight and the words “34th Anniversary of Tiananmen Square” and “June 4, 1989.”
