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We provide translation of news in English from local media and other sources, for academic use.
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#Ukranian Sisters in #HongKong: "Humanity wins, even under these circumstances"

Oksana and Olena came to Hong Kong from Ukraine 17 years ago. 7 years ago, they opened Dacha, a restaurant in Central District, specialising in Eastern Euroean cuisine. After Russia launched its invasion in Ukraine, the sisters joined the #CookforUkraine campaign, raising funds with their signature Medovik cake.

Oksana and Olena grew up near the Eastern Ukrainian city of Sumy, near the Russian border. The sisters were never confused of their national identity: "We are very clear, we are Ukrainians."

They also believed that most Russians were against the war and were victims of Putin's regime, being isolated by the international community.

"We have to do something together to stop this," Olena said. "This is affecting everyone, not only us, them [Russians] as well."

When they talked about their family and home in Ukraine, 7,600km away form Hong Kong, Oksana and Olena were visibly worried.

As they spoke, their cousin was hiding in a basement with her daughter in Kviv, while her husband was fighting in the frontline. The location of their family was far from the humanitarian corridor. If they tried to escape, it would be gambling with their lives.

Their 92-year-old grandfather, who lived through the Second World War, was now facing a war again.

The sisters were moved when they saw Russians in Hong Kong protesting in front of the Russian consulate. "We’re still human, and I’m so happy to see that humanity wins, even under this circumstance."

The added, "We don’t have to be all the same nationality to sit down together."

Oksana and Olena also expressed hope, despite the difficult circumstances, when they received the support of Hongkongers.

"When there is so much hatred, violence and ignorance in the world, these acts of kindness, courage and love still reminds us that the world is a good place."

Source: InMedia #Mar14
https://bit.ly/3MIKhSJ

#UkraineInHongKong #StandwithUkraine #Dacha #Conscience #Solidarity
#Solidarity #Conscience
Hongkongers flock to support pro-democracy bubble tea shop despite #NationalSecurityPolice Presence

Source: Inmediahk, #Apr14

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#Solidarity #Conscience
Hongkongers flock to support pro-democracy bubble tea shop despite #NationalSecurityPolice Presence

In Hong Kong, two staff members of #RoyalTea, a bubble tea shop in Mong Kok that is known for its pro-democracy stance, were taken away by the police on April 11, 2022 to "assist with an investigation".

When the shop reopened on April 14, 2022, about 10 customers patronized it in the first 15 minutes.

A regular customer who came to show support said that the bubble tea shop could be forced to close down for making known its pro-democracy stance.

"I would do whatever I can to show my support when the shop still opens."

A British student in Hong Kong, Sam visited RoyalTea for the first time. Sam said, althought he doesn't know the local political situation well, he has witnessed "a lot of political changes going on in Hong Kong" in the past year. Sam said that the community has been "oppressed".

Sam is hoping to show his support for those still clinging tight to their beliefs in Hong Kong.

Jessica, one of the two staff members being taken away by the police for "investigation" said she felt "terrified and lost" during police investigation.

However, she asked the supporters of the shop not to worry. She also wishes Hongkongers to stay blissful and hopeful for freedom.

Source: Inmediahk, #Apr14
https://bit.ly/3KKGK4H

#Oppression #ScareTactics #Regime #PoliceState
#Solidarity #StandwithUkraine
"We Stand with You": Train in Ukrainian Colors Running in Western Japan

A railway operator in the western Japanese city of Takamatsu repainted one of their trains in the colors of the Ukrainian flag, in solidarity with the war-torn country. The train began service in its new colors on April 19, 2022.

Takamatsu-Kotohira Electric Railroad Co., the company operating the train, said on Twitter that they wanted to recognize the staff of Ukrainian railways who continued operating trains to transport civilians to safety, some of them tragically losing their lives amid the ongoing conflict.

The two-car train wrapped in yellow and blue also bore messages saying "We stand with you," "To the Ukrainian railway operators working to protect people's lives-" and "We wish for world peace" on both sides.

Source: Channel C HK, #Apr20
https://bit.ly/3xFtbQh

#Train
#PressFreedom #Solidarity
Hongkongers Rebuild Article Archives of Apple Daily and Stand News

Source: Luminant HK, Collection.News

#Memory #PreservingHistory

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#PressFreedom #Solidarity
Hongkongers Rebuild Article Archives of Apple Daily and Stand News

Since the shutdown of #AppleDaily and #StandNews last year, a group of Hong Kong netizens had been hard at work building a platform to preserve their articles, so that they may once again see the light of day.

The article archives are now viewable online: https://collection.news/

The two Hong Kong news media companies, particularly Apple Daily with its 26-year history, had produced well over 2 million articles. Over a 10-month period, the Collection.News team rebuilt the archives of 2,375,868 text articles and 3,046,000 photos, and hosted them online using their own funds.

The archive's development team describes themselves as a group of Hongkongers who wish to preserve the city's history. They declare no affiliations with any news media groups. As the threat of National Security Law continues to loom over the city, the team found it necessary to operate anonymously, and does not accept donations. They had made their software open source, so that in case their website was shut down due to unforeseen circumstances, there would still be hope that the archives could be rebuilt once again.

The website's Chinese name 果靈 ("Spirit of Fruits") draws inspiration from the writings of 20th century philosopher Tang Chun-i. The team wishes to remind #Hongkongers that "we are not flowers and fruits that had lost our roots. Our spirit can take root everywhere, and ought to sprout in every heart."

"Though Apple Daily had died, we wish for everyone to own a little Apple seedling," they wrote on their website.

Source: Luminant HK, Collection.News
https://www.facebook.com/luminanthk/posts/522014396224956

#Memory #PreservingHistory
#Solidarity
Denise Ho offers encouragements during online concert, sheds tears for those who lost their freedom

#PoliticalOppression #June4 #612HumanitarianFund #HOCC

Source: Inmediahk; #May22

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#Solidarity
Denise Ho offers encouragements during online concert, sheds tears for those who lost their freedom

On May 22, Hong Kong singer and prominent pro-democracy activist Denise Ho (#HOCC) hosted an online concert, a week after her arrest by National Security Police.

When performing her new song "Dear Black", she sobbed for a long while before she could calm herself down.

Ho explained that she was grieved by those who going through difficult times, both the ones in Hong Kong and those dispersed around the world.

"Some of them are still in Hong Kong, but I could hardly see them," she continued, "because they lost their freedom." She admitted that she cried several times in the past week.

Denise Ho was one of the five trustees of the #612HumanitarianReliefFund. The five were arrested by Hong Kong National Security Police on May 11 for alleged “collusion with foreign forces”.

The Fund provided legal and financial assistance to more than 2,200 people prosecuted for their part in the 2019 pro-democracy protests. It had ceased operations in 2021 after police announced it was under investigation, and requested administrators to provide details on its donors.

Toward the end of the concert, Ho comforted her supporters, saying, "the happiest moments in life are when you are walking steadfastly, and certain that you know what you are doing, and you have no regrets."

#PoliticalOppression #June4 #612HumanitarianFund #HOCC

Source: Inmediahk; #May22
https://bit.ly/3LyrCa7
#Solidarity #June4 #NeverForget
Asian artist stages 24-hr online dance to commemorate #June4 Tiananmen crackdown

A Berlin-based Asian artist Ming Poon is calling for support for a 24-hour dance run organised to commemorate the 33rd memorial of Tiananmen Massacre.

The choreographer claims that he works with dance and choreography for political actions.

His latest work, “Project June 4th”, is a reference to the day, on which the Tiananmen protests in Beijing were violently crushed by the Chinese government in 1989.

"Last year, the Tiananmen vigil group in HK was forced to disband, with activists and journalists being arrested. As someone belonging to the Chinese diaspora, I feel a duty to speak out aganist the forms of state censorship used by the Chinese authority to silence peaceful dissent, and against the systemic erasure and rewriting of its history. " Ming Poon elaborated.

Join Project June4
https://www.facebook.com/events/405244761131752/

About the artist:
https://mingapur.com/
#Solidarity #June4
Tiananmen vigil events across globe in solidarity with Hong Kong

"The Chinese government’s concerted efforts to erase the Tiananmen crackdown from history have spread to Hong Kong since the national security law was enacted in the city in 2020. But the atrocities of 4 June 1989 must never be forgotten,” Hana Young, Amnesty International’s East Asia deputy regional director, said in a statement.

Amnesty International and other rights groups have planned events and memorials overseas. Vigils will be held in cities such as San Francisco and Washington DC in the US, Seoul in South Korea, Taipei in Taiwan, Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia, Sydney in Australia, Oslo in Norway, Paris in France, Amsterdam in the Netherlands and London in the UK.

#TiananmenMassacre

Source: Amnesty International; #May26
https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2022/05/china-tiananmen-vigil-events-across-globe-in-solidarity-with-hong-kong/
#FirstHand #June4
Remembering June 4th in #Japan

On June 4, 2022, pro-democracy Hongkongers gathered in Shinjuku, Tokyo to commemorate the victims of the 1989 #TiananmenMassacre in Beijing. This year flags and installations supporting Hong Kong's prodemocracy movement were also seen.

Similar commemorative events had been held in Hong Kong until the enforcement of the #NationalSecurityLaw in 2020.

#Solidarity #NeverForget #Remembrance

Related News:
Assembly in #London: #Hongkongers and #Ulkranians In Solidarity
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/32822
#FirstHand #June4
Assembly in #London: #Hongkongers and #Ulkranians In Solidarity

Photo album: https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/32822

At Downing Street, London on June 4th, 2022, Hongkongers and Ukrainians organized a fight against dictatorship assembly. The solidarity movement voices support for the fight for freedom across mainly Hongkongers and Ukrainians.

Exiled activist #NathanLaw, a former legislator in Hong Kong and the founder of #Demosisto, was the first guest speaker of the event. He said to the crowd, "no matter where we are from, we are all escaping from the dictatorship regime."

He said that not only Ukrainians but also Hongkongers have been following the Russian invasion news.

Carman Lau Ka-Man, a former Wong Tai Sin District Councillor in 2019, was the next one to speak, urging overseas Hongkongers to do more when they were able to and to help those in Hong Kong who are suffering in jail or under suppression.

"Perhaps 1989 seems quite long ago, but let's not forget what we did in the year of 2019."

#BenedictRoger, the founder of #HongKongWatch, brings a yellow umbrella to the event, saying the umbrella is not only for rainy weather, but also to symbolise the dignity of the people who fight for democracy and the movement against dictatorship regime.

A Ukrainian representative spoke and emphasised that Ukraine is a geographic buffer between Russia and Europe, protecting the whole Europe from Russia. She urged the world to stop using fuel supplied by Russia in order to stand with Ukraine.

Related News
Remembering June 4th in
#Japan
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/32814

#Resistance #Solidarity #FightForFreedom #RussianInvasion #CCP
#FirstHand #June4
Assembly in #London: #Hongkongers and #Ulkranians In Solidarity

Photo album: https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/32825

At Downing Street, London on June 4th, 2022, Hongkongers and Ukrainians organized a fight against dictatorship assembly. The solidarity movement voices support for the fight for freedom across mainly Hongkongers and Ukrainians.

Exiled activist #NathanLaw, a former legislator in Hong Kong and the founder of #Demosisto, was the first guest speaker of the event. He said to the crowd, "no matter where we are from, we are all escaping from the dictatorship regime."

He said that not only Ukrainians but also Hongkongers have been following the Russian invasion news.

Carman Lau Ka-Man, a former Wong Tai Sin District Councillor in 2019, was the next one to speak, urging overseas Hongkongers to do more when they were able to and to help those in Hong Kong who are suffering in jail or under suppression.

"Perhaps 1989 seems quite long ago, but let's not forget what we did in the year of 2019."

#BenedictRoger, the founder of #HongKongWatch, brings a yellow umbrella to the event, saying the umbrella is not only for rainy weather, but also to symbolise the dignity of the people who fight for democracy and the movement against dictatorship regime.

A Ukrainian representative spoke and emphasised that Ukraine is a geographic buffer between Russia and Europe, protecting the whole Europe from Russia. She urged the world to stop using fuel supplied by Russia in order to stand with Ukraine.

Related News
Remembering June 4th in
#Japan
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/32814

#Resistance #Solidarity #FightForFreedom #RussianInvasion #CCP
#FirstHand #June4
Hundreds of #Hongkongers in #London Commemorate 1989 June 4th Tiananmen Massacre

On June 4, 2022 in London, hundreds of Hongkongers gathered at Piccadilly Circus to commemorate the victims of the June 4th #TianamenMassacre in 1989.

Despite the suppression in Hong Kong, overseas Hongkongers brought flowers to tell the world that they would continue to remember.

Related News
Remembering June 4th in #Japan
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/32814

Assembly in #London: #Hongkongers and #Ulkranians In Solidarity
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/32815

#Solidarity #Remembrance
#FirstHand #Jun4
#Hongkongers, #Tibetans and #EastTurkestans Join Assembly Outside of ChineseEmbassy in #London

On June 4, 2022, more than 200 people gather outside the Chinese Embassy in London for a candlelight vigil in remembrance of the victims of the #TiananmenMassacre back in 1989.

#IsaacCheng Ka-Long, the former Vice-Chairperson of #Demosisto, and #YauManChun, a former Shatin District Councillor, were the moderated the event. Speakers representing the #UK, #HongKong, #Tibet and #EastTurkestan took turn to speak. The pre-recorded speech of #ZhangXianLing, one of the "#TiananmenMothers", were played after a minute of silence was observed.

Zhang Xianling's son was massacred at Beijing's Tiananmen Square on June 4 1989. Her son was 19 years old when killed. Zhang sent blessing to Hongkongers. Despite the suppression of demonstration and commemorative events in Hong Kong, Zhang encouraged the people of Hong Kong not to give up.

#BenedictRoger, the founder of #HongKongWatch, brought a yellow umbrella to the event, saying the umbrella were only used in rainy weather but it also symbolised the sovereignty and the power of the people who suffer suppression. He hopes people would see the UK as a shelter.

#LeeWingTat, a former legislator from Hong Kong's pro-democracy camp, also gave a speech, urging people not to give up. Under the National Security Law (#NSL) and other regulations, he foresaw the arrival of more and more Hong Kong immigrants to the UK. He encouraged those who arrived early to help others to settle and hoped to spread the situation in Hong Kong to the world.

#TserinPassang, a British-born Tibetan talked about how his parents went in exiled due to the high-pressure suppression in Tibel such as re-education camps and forced labour. He said that over hundred Tibetans conducted self-immolation to express their discontent, but the suppression by Chinese Communist Party (#CCP) regime does not cease. He expressed his will to go to his homeland hopefully in a not so distant future.

After that, a representative from East Turkestan spoke on the genocid and the need to raise people's awareness on all humanitarian crises.

Although it is no longer possible to continue the tradition of holding an annual candlelight vigil at Hong Kong's #VictoriaPark, the commemorarive event is carried out overseas and is joined by not just Hongkongers.

The assembly in London ended with three songs: "The Flower of Freedom" (自由花), "The Internationale", and "Glory to Hong Kong". The participants chanted pro-democracy slogans to voice their demands outside the Chinese Embassy.

#Remembrance #Solidarity #Overseas #Resistance #Diaspora #Hongkongers
As Hong Kong clamps down, ‘burden of remembering’ #TiananmenMassacre shifts overseas

// In the decades since the Tiananmen Square massacre in Beijing on June 4, 1989, one of the most indelible images associated with the event, alongside “Tank Man” and the Goddess of Democracy statue, has been a sea of candles, lighting up the night.

Every year, tens of thousands gathered in Hong Kong’s Victoria Park to commemorate the dead and echo their calls for democracy in China.

No more. The 30th anniversary of the massacre in 2019 was the last time it was marked by a mass gathering in Hong Kong. Memorials since then have been banned on coronavirus grounds, as is the case this year, with public gatherings still limited to four people...

“With the last symbol of freedom of assembly and freedom of speech in Hong Kong being taken away it is crucial for Hong Kongers and all persons of conscience around the world to pick up the torch and make sure that the flame of freedom and democracy remain burning,” said Mabel Tung, chair of the Vancouver Society in Support of Democratic Movement (#VSSDM), a group founded by Chinese Canadians in support of the 1989 protests.

...Amnesty International said it is arranging events in more than 20 cities this year, and will call on participants not only to remember those killed in Beijing, but also “stand in solidarity with those in Hong Kong whose peaceful acts of commemoration are now criminalized.”

In Asia, one of the largest memorials will be in Taipei, where organizers plan to unveil a replica of the “Pillar of Shame,” a statue commemorating the Tiananmen victims that was forcibly removed from Hong Kong last year...//

Source: Globe and Mail #June3

Read the full article:
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-as-hong-kong-clamps-down-burden-of-remembering-tiananmen-massacre/

#Remembrance #Solidarity #Overseas #Resistance #Diaspora #Hongkongers
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
Pro-democracy Group Displays Black Cloth to Mourn the Loss of Freedom in Hong Kong

On May 29, 2022 in Hong Kong, the League of Social Justice, a pro-democracy group, organized a street booth in Causeway Bay. It was eve of the 33th anniversary of the 1989 #TiananmenMassacre.

Despite political suppression, the group displayed a black cloth, mourning the loss of the freedom of expression in Hong Kong.

The chairperson #ChanPoYing revealed that they originally prepared a banner that read "release all the political prisoners" and "power to the people".

However, one day ago, a pro-democracy radio station was fined by the authorities for "displaying unauthorized slogans". This made the League of Social Justice showcase only a black cloth.

Chan said the message was clear to every Hongkongers, "we never forget, never give up."

Source: InMedia #May29
https://bit.ly/3a3YXga

#Hongkongers #Solidarity #StreetBooth #CivilSociety
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#Solidarity #FightForFreedom
#Hongkongers in #Japan Call for International Support through Video

Hongkongers in Japan displayed a video in support of Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement in the center of #Shibuya in #Tokyo.

The day #July1 marks the 25th anniversary of the transfer of soveignty of Hong Kong from Britain to China and two years since Beijing's enforcement of the #NationalSecurityLaw in Hong Kong

Reference:
https://twitter.com/williamleewt/status/1542817913107021825

#Handover #FreeHongKong
#Solidarity
#HongKongDiaspora Fights from Abroad

//Hongkongers living in Japan are trying to protect freedoms in the territory they left behind.// 

Watch the video here:
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/videos/20220701204909434/

Source: NHK #Jul1

#Handover #FightForFreedom #Hongkongers #Japan