Hong Kong police ban June 4 vigil

Hong Kong police have issued a letter of objection for the annual candlelight vigil to remember the Tiananmen Square massacre.

Vigil organizers, the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, said they will appeal the decision.

Tens of thousands of people normally gather at Victoria Park to commemorate those massacred by the People's Liberation Army in 1989.

Last year, the police cited the pandemic for refusing to allow the event, and this was also the reason given for barring the event this time, RTHK reports.

Officers said Hong Kong’s response level to the Covid-19 pandemic remains at the highest “emergency” level, warning that allowing the event to go ahead would increase participants’ risk of contracting the virus.

The force added that the gathering would not only put other people’s health at risk, but it would also endanger public safety and affect the rights of others.

The alliance had earlier urged the police not to prevent the memorial from taking place and offered to ensure that participants complied with social distancing measures.

It said it will appeal the decision to ban the event, and hopes a hearing can be held as soon as possible so that people can attend in a legal and safe manner.

“Remembering June 4 is the collective memory of Hong Kong people,” the alliance said, adding that it will continue to fight for people’s right to hold the memorial legally.

But Security Secretary John Lee is warning people against taking part or even promoting the vigil – as well as a protest planned for May 30, for which police also refused to give their permission – as it is now considered an unauthorized assembly.

The maximum penalty for taking part in an unauthorized assembly is five years’ imprisonment.

Some pro-Beijing figures had suggested that the vigil could breach the national security law, although the authorities have not stated whether or not they believe this to be the case.

At a meeting on Tuesday, the police had asked organizers about their past activities and goals, including the demand for an end to one-party rule on the mainland, the alliance said.

Last year, thousands of people defied the police ban and gathered in small groups in Victoria Park on June 4. Several prominent pro-democracy figures are being prosecuted for unauthorized assembly.