Thousands march in Hong Kong to mark 30th anniversary of Tiananmen crackdown and protest against government’s fugitive bill
- Attendance on 30th anniversary of Beijing’s crackdown hits four-year high with many Hongkongers turning out to denounce extradition amendment
- Police put number of marchers at 2,100, down from 8,000 in 2009
More than 2,000 demonstrators took to Hong Kong’s steaming, rain-drenched streets on Sunday to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Beijing’s bloody crackdown on democracy protesters in Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989.
The turnout for the annual march reached a four-year high, with some Hongkongers said to be taking part to protest against the government’s controversial extradition bill, which would transfer criminal fugitives to mainland China.
Police said the number of protesters was 2,100 at its peak, while organisers put the number at more than 2,200. More than 3,000 people marched in the 25th anniversary of the Tiananmen crackdown in 2014, according to organisers, and more than 8,000 took part in the 20th anniversary in 2009.
“I believe people took part in the march today not only to mourn the June 4 crackdown and to call for justice for the victims – people came out for the chance to express their concerns over the extradition bill and to urge other Hongkongers to speak up,” said Albert Ho Chun-yan, chairman of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China.
The alliance has organised the Hong Kong march on the Sunday before June 4 every year since 1990. The group also organises the city’s yearly June 4 candlelight vigil for the Tiananmen victims in Victoria Park.
