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June 4 vigil in Hong Kong
Hong KongPolitics

Tiananmen vigil in Hong Kong draws thousands despite coronavirus-related ban

  • Police stand back as crowds pour into Victoria Park in Causeway Bay and take up a couple of soccer pitches
  • Show of defiance comes on a politically charged day as legislature passes a law criminalising disrespect for national anthem

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At Victoria Park, social-distancing rules were set aside as participants lit candles in remembrance of the victims of the June 4 crackdown. Photo: Sam Tsang
SCMP Reporters

Thousands flooded Hong Kong’s Victoria Park on Thursday night for the annual candlelight vigil to mark the anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown, defying a ban on the mass gathering imposed by the police for the first time on health protection grounds.

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The show of defiance came on a politically charged day as the legislature passed a law criminalising disrespect for the national anthem, amid a raging controversy over China’s top legislative body tailor-making a national security law for the city.
Police, who had warned they had thousands of riot officers ready and would enforce anti-coronavirus rules limiting groups to a maximum of eight people each, stood back as the crowds poured into the park in Causeway Bay and took up a couple of football pitches.

The peace was broken only in Mong Kok when protesters blocked Argyle Street and plain-clothes police officers used pepper spray and batons to stop them. Sources said at least four people were arrested.

06:13

Thousands of Hongkongers defy ban and gather to mark Tiananmen anniversary

Thousands of Hongkongers defy ban and gather to mark Tiananmen anniversary

At Victoria Park, social-distancing rules were set aside as participants lit candles and torches in remembrance of the victims of the June 4 crackdown on China’s pro-democracy protests, and shouted slogans challenging Beijing’s authority.

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