Tiananmen remembered in Hong Kong

Hong Kong- Posted by: Pressenza IPA Posted date: 04 June 2012 In: Asia, Human Rights

Thousands of people have attended the candle-light vigil in Victoria Park to commemorate those who died during the crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrations in Tiananmen Square 23 years ago. Organisers said more than 180,000 people were there, although police put the figure at 85,000. brought to our attention by Pete Spurrier, (from RTHK report).

Vigil organisers claim record turnout

The chairman of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements in China, Lee Cheuk-yan, said the turnout was a record, adding that there were many mainlanders among the crowd.

*”The trend of democracy cannot be blocked,”* Mr Lee said in a speech. *”Never forget June 4th. Democracy for China now! Long live democracy!”*

Tiananmen veteran Fang Zheng, whose legs were crushed by a tank as the PLA rolled into the square said: *”You have all not forgotten what happened 23 years ago. Thank you all for 23 years of support.”*

The Hong Kong vigil was in stark contrast to mainland China where activists said hundreds of people were detained. The anniversary of the massacre in the heart of Beijing is always hugely sensitive, but particularly so this year ahead of a once-in-a-decade handover of power marred by in-fighting in the ruling Communist Party. China still considers the Tiananmen demonstrations a “counter-revolutionary rebellion” and has refused to acknowledge any wrongdoing or consider compensation for the families of those killed.