June 4th marks the 35th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre. While the candlelight vigils in Hong Kong’s Victoria Park may have ceased, similar commemorations are being held around the globe. On June 2nd, a gathering was held at London’s Parliament Square to remember the events of June 4th. The event took on added significance due to the Chinese government’s crackdown on pro-democracy activists both domestically and abroad.
The gathering, organized by Amnesty International UK, Hong Kong Labour Watch, and “China Deviants,” a group founded by Chinese youth in the UK, aimed to show support for former Hong Kong Alliance vice-chairwoman Chow Hang Tung, who was recently arrested under the National Security Law, along with her family and friends. The theme of the event also highlighted solidarity against cross-border repression by the Chinese government.
Approximately 300 people gathered at London’s Parliament Square on June 2nd to participate in the memorial event. Ni Peiqing from “China Deviants” delivered a speech, emphasizing that the events of June 4th are not just a page in history. Over the past 35 years, the authoritarian Chinese Communist Party has continued to fiercely maintain its grip on power. Chinese students overseas who dare to speak out often face harassment and threats from the Chinese government. Through cyberattacks and coercion of their families, the authorities attempt to silence these individuals and strip them of their right to free speech. It is crucial to speak out against the overseas surveillance tactics of the Chinese government and for democratic countries to acknowledge and protect those resisting Chinese oppression.
Sacha Deshmukh, Chief Executive of Amnesty International UK, highlighted the Chinese government’s efforts to erase the dark history of June 4th, yet emphasized the importance of standing united to tell the true story of the Tiananmen Square massacre. He pointed out how the crackdown on freedoms in Hong Kong, such as the banning of the song “Glory to Hong Kong” and the controversial interpretation of the National Security Law in the case of the 47 individuals, illustrates the Chinese government’s systematic curtailment of assembly and speech freedoms and repression of political dissent in Hong Kong.
Mong Siu Tat, General Secretary of Hong Kong Labour Watch, expressed concern about the shrinking space for freedom in Hong Kong, with the term “June 4th” becoming a forbidden word. He criticized the arrests of activists and ordinary citizens following the implementation of the National Security Law under Article 23, noting that the authorities are not only suppressing rights to assembly, speech, and media but are now also targeting freedom of thought. The convictions in the case of the 47 individuals seeking democracy were seen as political retaliation. He stressed the importance of standing up for those still imprisoned and facing political pressure, emphasizing the need for continued advocacy and solidarity.