#Censorship #PoliticalSuppression
"Barbarious", "Mafia Tactic": #PillarofShame Creator Shocked as the University of Hong Kong Demands Removal
Part 1/2
On October 7, 2021, the University of Hong Kong (#HKU) called for the removal of a statue commemorating the pro-democracy protesters killed during the 1989 Tiananmen massacre in Beijing, with a 6-day deadline.
The "Pillar of Shame" had been placed on long-term display inside the HKU campus since 1998 with support from the HKU Student Union.
Representing the university, US law firm Mayer Brown issued a letter demanding the now-disbanded Hong Kong Alliance (#HKASPDMC) – the organiser of Hong Kong’s annual Tiananmen vigil – to “immediately … make arrangements for the sculpture (the 8-meter-tall Pillar of Shame) to be removed from the university’s premises”.
“If you fail to remove the sculpture … it will be deemed abandoned,” the letter said, “if the Alliance fails to take it away, and the university will deal with the sculpture at such time and in such manner as it thinks fit without further notice.”
Danish artist #JensGalschiot, the statue's creator, was shocked at the demand, calling it “barbarous” and a “mafia” tactic. He told reporters that he remains the owner of the sculpture, and he has hired a lawyer to protect his property, which was only on loan to the Alliance.
“I hope that my ownership of the sculpture will be respected and that I will be able to transport the sculpture out of Hong Kong under orderly conditions and without it having suffered from any damage,” he said, adding that any damage would be the university’s responsibility.
Galschiot described the act as an attempt to erase China's collective historical memory. In a statement, he wrote in contempt, “China has made the Pillar of Shame ever taller and bigger in the eyes of the world.”
Read Part 2:
Law Firm Refuses to Represent Hong Kong's Top University
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/31306
#TiananmenMassacre #Memorial #Art #CollectiveMemory
Sources: Stand News; InMediaHK; #Oct18
https://thestandnews.page.link/cWZQyyVUAc2Z255J7
https://thestandnews.page.link/ExESJ1tzktLMiEoR6
https://bit.ly/3vq26O4
"Barbarious", "Mafia Tactic": #PillarofShame Creator Shocked as the University of Hong Kong Demands Removal
Part 1/2
On October 7, 2021, the University of Hong Kong (#HKU) called for the removal of a statue commemorating the pro-democracy protesters killed during the 1989 Tiananmen massacre in Beijing, with a 6-day deadline.
The "Pillar of Shame" had been placed on long-term display inside the HKU campus since 1998 with support from the HKU Student Union.
Representing the university, US law firm Mayer Brown issued a letter demanding the now-disbanded Hong Kong Alliance (#HKASPDMC) – the organiser of Hong Kong’s annual Tiananmen vigil – to “immediately … make arrangements for the sculpture (the 8-meter-tall Pillar of Shame) to be removed from the university’s premises”.
“If you fail to remove the sculpture … it will be deemed abandoned,” the letter said, “if the Alliance fails to take it away, and the university will deal with the sculpture at such time and in such manner as it thinks fit without further notice.”
Danish artist #JensGalschiot, the statue's creator, was shocked at the demand, calling it “barbarous” and a “mafia” tactic. He told reporters that he remains the owner of the sculpture, and he has hired a lawyer to protect his property, which was only on loan to the Alliance.
“I hope that my ownership of the sculpture will be respected and that I will be able to transport the sculpture out of Hong Kong under orderly conditions and without it having suffered from any damage,” he said, adding that any damage would be the university’s responsibility.
Galschiot described the act as an attempt to erase China's collective historical memory. In a statement, he wrote in contempt, “China has made the Pillar of Shame ever taller and bigger in the eyes of the world.”
Read Part 2:
Law Firm Refuses to Represent Hong Kong's Top University
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/31306
#TiananmenMassacre #Memorial #Art #CollectiveMemory
Sources: Stand News; InMediaHK; #Oct18
https://thestandnews.page.link/cWZQyyVUAc2Z255J7
https://thestandnews.page.link/ExESJ1tzktLMiEoR6
https://bit.ly/3vq26O4
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📡Guardians of Hong Kong
US Law Firm Withdraws from Representing the University of Hong Kong Amid Outcry from Civic Groups and US Politicians
On behalf of the University of Hong Kong (#HKU), the law firm #MayerBrown issued a letter to Danish artist #JensGalschiot, demanding the…
On behalf of the University of Hong Kong (#HKU), the law firm #MayerBrown issued a letter to Danish artist #JensGalschiot, demanding the…
US Law Firm Withdraws from Representing the University of Hong Kong Amid Outcry from Civic Groups and US Politicians
On behalf of the University of Hong Kong (#HKU), the law firm #MayerBrown issued a letter to Danish artist #JensGalschiot, demanding the removal of his famous sculpture #PillarofShame, which has beena symbol commemorating the victims of the 1989 Tiananmen Massacre and on display on campus since 2003, within six days.
The action prompted an outcry from pro-democracy and human rights groups, who expressed dismay that a US law firm was helping the Chinese regime to suppress the commemoration of the massacre.
28 civil society groups signed an open letter calling for Mayer Brown to withdraw from representing the university, citing the importance of safeguarding the firm’s “integrity in defending the right of freedom of expression”.
US Republican senators including Ted Cruz and Lindsey Graham also condemned the firm.
Mayer Brown initially defended its representation of the university, saying the dispute was simply a real estate matter. But on October 15, 2021, the firm backed down, saying, "going forward, Mayer Brown will not be representing its longtime client in this matter.”
Following Mayer Brown's withdrawal, former Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying took to Facebook to denounce the firm as having been "infiltrated by foreign powers" and calling on all "Chinese" clients to withdraw their business.
The sculpture was still in the university campus as the deadline for its removal passed.
The debate over removal of the Pillar of Shame from #HKU was brought to a legislative meeting on October 18, 2021, when pro-Beijing legislator Luk Chung-hung, a representative from the pro-CCP Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions, took it in a verbal inquiry.
Luk referred the sculpture as “trash” three times, calling it a "totem of anti-CCP sentiments" that has confused and poisoned youngsters in Hong Kong. He called for local police to assist the university in handling the case.
#TiananmenMassacre #Memorial #Art #CollectiveMemory
Sources: Stand News; InmediaHK; #Oct18
https://thestandnews.page.link/cWZQyyVUAc2Z255J7
https://thestandnews.page.link/ExESJ1tzktLMiEoR6
https://bit.ly/3vq26O4
On behalf of the University of Hong Kong (#HKU), the law firm #MayerBrown issued a letter to Danish artist #JensGalschiot, demanding the removal of his famous sculpture #PillarofShame, which has beena symbol commemorating the victims of the 1989 Tiananmen Massacre and on display on campus since 2003, within six days.
The action prompted an outcry from pro-democracy and human rights groups, who expressed dismay that a US law firm was helping the Chinese regime to suppress the commemoration of the massacre.
28 civil society groups signed an open letter calling for Mayer Brown to withdraw from representing the university, citing the importance of safeguarding the firm’s “integrity in defending the right of freedom of expression”.
US Republican senators including Ted Cruz and Lindsey Graham also condemned the firm.
Mayer Brown initially defended its representation of the university, saying the dispute was simply a real estate matter. But on October 15, 2021, the firm backed down, saying, "going forward, Mayer Brown will not be representing its longtime client in this matter.”
Following Mayer Brown's withdrawal, former Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying took to Facebook to denounce the firm as having been "infiltrated by foreign powers" and calling on all "Chinese" clients to withdraw their business.
The sculpture was still in the university campus as the deadline for its removal passed.
The debate over removal of the Pillar of Shame from #HKU was brought to a legislative meeting on October 18, 2021, when pro-Beijing legislator Luk Chung-hung, a representative from the pro-CCP Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions, took it in a verbal inquiry.
Luk referred the sculpture as “trash” three times, calling it a "totem of anti-CCP sentiments" that has confused and poisoned youngsters in Hong Kong. He called for local police to assist the university in handling the case.
#TiananmenMassacre #Memorial #Art #CollectiveMemory
Sources: Stand News; InmediaHK; #Oct18
https://thestandnews.page.link/cWZQyyVUAc2Z255J7
https://thestandnews.page.link/ExESJ1tzktLMiEoR6
https://bit.ly/3vq26O4
#PillarOfShame #Censorship
Danish Sculptor seeks immunity from Hong Kong's National Security Law
Danish artist Jens Galschiot created the Pillar of Shame, a statue that commemorates democracy students and citizens who died on June 4, 1989 during Beijing’s brutal crackdown. The University of Hong Kong (#HKU), where the statue was displayed, has earlier demanded its removal from the campus.
The artist has asked Hong Kong authorities for immunity from the #NationalSecurityLaw so that he can take the statue back to Denmark.
In an open letter issued on November 12, 2021, #JensGalschiot said he is willing to take the statue back to Denmark, but he needs to be in the city to make sure it is dismantled properly without causing significant and irreparable damage to the costly sculpture.
Galschiot also called for assurances that he and his colleagues would not be prosecuted under the national security law.
#Sculpture #NSL #Art #FreedomOfExpression #TiananmenMassacre #June4 #Denmark
Source: Citizen News; #Nov12
https://www.hkcnews.com/article/47611/%E9%AB%98%E5%BF%97%E6%B4%BBjens_galschi%C3%B8t-%E5%9C%8B%E6%AE%A4%E4%B9%8B%E6%9F%B1-%E9%A6%99%E6%B8%AF%E5%A4%A7%E5%AD%B8-47619/hku
Danish Sculptor seeks immunity from Hong Kong's National Security Law
Danish artist Jens Galschiot created the Pillar of Shame, a statue that commemorates democracy students and citizens who died on June 4, 1989 during Beijing’s brutal crackdown. The University of Hong Kong (#HKU), where the statue was displayed, has earlier demanded its removal from the campus.
The artist has asked Hong Kong authorities for immunity from the #NationalSecurityLaw so that he can take the statue back to Denmark.
In an open letter issued on November 12, 2021, #JensGalschiot said he is willing to take the statue back to Denmark, but he needs to be in the city to make sure it is dismantled properly without causing significant and irreparable damage to the costly sculpture.
Galschiot also called for assurances that he and his colleagues would not be prosecuted under the national security law.
#Sculpture #NSL #Art #FreedomOfExpression #TiananmenMassacre #June4 #Denmark
Source: Citizen News; #Nov12
https://www.hkcnews.com/article/47611/%E9%AB%98%E5%BF%97%E6%B4%BBjens_galschi%C3%B8t-%E5%9C%8B%E6%AE%A4%E4%B9%8B%E6%9F%B1-%E9%A6%99%E6%B8%AF%E5%A4%A7%E5%AD%B8-47619/hku
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