"Why? This is my duty": #June4 Banner appears in Hong Kong despite suppression

June 4, 2022 marks 33 years since the 1989 #TiananmenSquareMassacre in Beijing. At the Chinese University of Hong Kong (#CUHK), a banner that read "Why? [Because] This is my duty" was displayed on a fence outside of the dormitory of New Asia College. The image and quote on the banner was taken from a BBC documentary of the Tiananmen Massacre.

The scene from the documentary, in which the student gave the quoted answer in English, can be viewed on BBC News Chinese: https://youtu.be/ExqqdUXXdgA?t=69

By 1am, however, the banner was removed after the campus security took a photo.

In addition, it was reported that a flashmob activity to "look for the Statue of the Goddess of Democracy" was briefly held at midnight on CUHK campus. Handbills that read "Missing: Goddess of Democracy" were posted around the New Asia College and the United College, but by 6am, all of them were removed by campus security.

The Statue of the Goddess of Democracy had previously been on display at CUHK for 11 years, commemorating the 1989 pro-democracy movement in China and the victims of the brutal crackdown by the Chinese Communist Party (#CCP) government. It was removed by the university authority without notice on Christmas eve of 2021.

Source: InMedia #June4
https://bit.ly/3zjdDmo

#Remembrance #NeverForget #Duty

#3years #today #Jun9
June 9, 2019: 1 Million Pro-Democracy #Hongkongers in #AntiExtradition Protest

The time lapse video shows how 1 million Hongkongers walked through Causeway Bay in a protest against the government's plan to inplement extradition to China on June 9, 2019.

It was the largest protest turnout in the history of Hong Kong until the record was broken by the 2 million peopled June 16 protest.

Source:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2265322376887906&id=178965725523592

#NeverForget #BeWater

"Glory HK": #Hongkongers Raise Glowing Signs amid Storm Clouds on Lion Rock

In Hong Kong, a group of pro-democracy citizens braved the heavy rain and hiked to the top of the #LionRock on the evening of June 9, 2022.

On the mountain, they displayed the light signs that spelled "Glory HK", to commemorate the third anniversary of the 2019 June 9 #AntiExtradition protest march.

When the group reached the summit, however, the hill was shrouded by dense clouds and heavy rain, with a thunderstorm warning from the weather observatory. After discussing their options, the group decided to carry through and set up the sign while they waited for the clouds to clear. Their patience was rewarded after waiting for over an hour; the clouds cleared for a brief moment, and Hong Kong's city lights come into view behind their glowing sign.

Speaking to a reporter, the organizer likened the weather atop the mountain to the outlook for Hong Kong's future: full of dark clouds, but there will be light for those who hold on to the end.

"The oppression keeps Hongkongers from speaking our minds, and even rational debates on the Internet risk violating the authority's red line; however, the beliefs of Hongkongers 3 years ago surely remain engraved in our hearts, and they will never change," said one of the participants.

Source: Boomhead #Jun9

#June9 #GloryToHongKong #AntiELAB #KeepTheFaith #NeverForget #3Years

See also:

Two Years into Hongkongers' #FightForFreedom: "Keep the Faith, Until Darkness Gives Away to the Glorious Dawn and Freedom Returns to Our Land"

https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/30108

June 9, 2019: 1 Million Pro-Democracy #Hongkongers in #AntiExtradition Protest

https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/32866

Three Years Since First Police Suppression of Pro-Democracy #AntiELAB Protests in Hong Kong

On June 12, 2019, tens of thousands of pro-democracy Hongkongers gathered outside of the Legislative Council building and the Government Headquarters in Admiralty -- after over 1 million citizens took to the streets three days ago to protest the proposed bill that would allow extradition to China. Their message seemed all but ignored by the Hong Kong authorities.

The controversial Extradition Law Amendment Bill (ELAB) was slated to go through second and possibly third reading that day in the city's legislature, in which the pro-Beijing camp secured a firm majority by disqualifying a number of pro-democracy lawmakers. Without representation in the chamber, pro-democracy citizens occupied Tamar Park and spilled over to Harcourt Road and nearby areas, hoping a clear display of their disapproval would stop the passing of the extradition bill.

However, the peaceful protests were met with tear gas and violent police suppression. The authorities claimed that the unarmed citizens, expressing their pro-democracy demands, were rioting in the area.

In addition to arrests, the aggressive police response many civilians were injured and terrified. At one point, the police nearly caused a stampede as they teargassed both ends of the street outside Citic Tower, trapping a panicked crowd of hundreds as they sought refuge through the narrow doors of the commercial building.

The police aggression on that day had alarmed local and international observers, and drew widespread condemnation. On the other hand, the shared horrors that day united Hongkongers as they stood together against the CCP-backed regime, which finally showed its true, oppressive colors.

The day was only the beginning of the year-long #AntiELAB protests in Hong Kong.

Source:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=8297021216990419&id=648757011816916

#Remembrance #3yearsago #NeverForget #HongkongProtests #Solidarity

Overseas Hongkongers Commemorate the 3rd Anniversary of Anti-ELAB Movement

In view of the political suppression in Hong Kong, overseas Hongkongers showed solidarity and carried on the "be water" spirit in their respective countries.

On June 12, 2022, Hongkongers across the world initiated commemorative events for the 2019 Anti-extradition Protests in over 43 cities in 11 countries across the world. In Australia, activities such as silent protests, demonstrations, seminars, screenings and exhibitions were held in six major cities.

Though oceans away from their homeland, participants chanted familiar slogans as they once did on the streets of Hong Kong: "Liberate Hong Kong, Revolution of our Times" and "Hongkongers, add oil!"

Source: SBS #Jun13

https://www.sbs.com.au/chinese/cantonese/zh-hant/third-anniversary-of-the-2019-hong-kong-movement-in-australia

#AntiELAB #Remembrance #NeverForget #GlobalSolidarity

Three Years Since the Death of "Yellow Raincoat Man": Police Warn Mourning Citizens of "Littering" as they Offered Flowers

Today marks the third year since the death of Marco Leung Ling-kit, the "Yellow Raincoat Man", who fell to his death wearing a yellow raincoat that said "Carrie Lam killed Hong Kong, Cops were cold blooded." His death came a week after a 1-million-strong march did not #CarrieLam to withdraw the extradition bill, and another massive protest on the day of the vote was met by violent police crackdown.

Outside Pacific Place in Admiralty, the scene of Leung's death, citizens have erected a roadside memorial this afternoon. It was soon surrounded by dozens of white flowers, origami flowers, and other memorial art from citizens who came to pay tribute to the fallen man.

Police came and cleared away the memorial, and accused a man who laid down flowers for "littering", giving verbal warnings and taking down their identities. "I have the right to mourn," the man said, criticizing the police's actions, "I'm only exercising my due rights."

Ms. S and Mr. J took half a day off work today to attend the memorial and lay down flowers. J said that he had never forgotten Leung, and came to "tell everyone: hold on and continue in our conviction." He had been concerned that simply mourning in public might put him at risk of being arrested, but decided that he couldn't worry too much.

"I have to do what I intended to do," he said, "or else some memories will slowly fade away. I don't want to be ashamed of myself."

source: In-Media HK
photos: first-hand
https://bit.ly/3MNehLS

#Jun15 #Remembrance #YellowRaincoatMan #LeungLingKit #NeverForget #Martyr

13-year-old Bowen is wearing a yellow raincoat, stood silently before the memorial.

As night falls, citizens continue to arrive at the memorial to mourn "Yellow Raincoat Man" Leung Ling-kit outside Pacific Place. 13-year-old Bowen is among them; he came wearing a yellow raincoat, and stood silently before the memorial.

Bowen said that he was only 10 when the incident happened, but what he saw on live TV was etched into his mind. Even though his family objected, he came to the memorial anyway.

Other citizens lit candles at the memorial. and paid silent tribute to Leung as they stood in the heavy rain under umbrellas.

source: ReNews #Jun15

https://www.facebook.com/renewshk/posts/132708449403734

#Remembrance #YellowRaincoatMan #LeungLingKit #NeverForget #Martyr