On August 31st at noon, activists from Hong Kong and supporters of the pro-democracy movement in San Francisco gathered at the ferry terminal to commemorate the “831 Incident” and protest the violent crackdown on peaceful citizens by the Hong Kong government six years ago. The crowd present included pregnant women, young fathers carrying their children, former Hong Kong protesters, as well as democracy supporters from mainland China, creating a poignant scene of unity.
The peak of the anti-extradition bill protests in Hong Kong occurred on August 31, 2019. That evening, a large number of citizens took to the streets of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon to protest. Subsequently, the police launched a large-scale clearance operation at Prince Edward and Mong Kok MTR stations, indiscriminately using batons, pepper spray, and pepper balls, resulting in multiple citizens and passengers being severely injured. The police even temporarily sealed off the stations, preventing medical personnel and journalists from entering, which sparked strong public outrage. There were widespread suspicions of fatalities that night, but the Hong Kong government consistently refused to release complete surveillance footage and casualty details, making the “831 Incident” one of the most shocking and bloody suppression scenes in the memory of Hong Kong people.
The event was co-hosted by Miss Shi from the American Hong Kong Association and democracy activist Guan Yongjie. Guan expressed that many friends from mainland China were present, which itself was powerful proof that, “While many Hong Kong people have negative impressions of mainland Chinese, anyone who truly believes in justice and upholds conscience will support Hong Kong and oppose the Hong Kong-China authoritarian regime.”
He recalled giving a speech in front of the Chinese consulate in San Francisco in memory of the anti-extradition bill protests, but received no response when sharing the video in a Hong Kong friends’ group as it had touched upon the Hong Kong National Security Law. He lamented that Hong Kong has now become a society of “eyes on the street.”
From Shanghai, Luo Yanli pointed out from her own experience that the apparent prosperity in mainland China cannot conceal the cruelty of totalitarianism. She recalled the lockdown in Shanghai in 2022, where many people almost starved to death in a 21st-century metropolis, which made her realize that, “In a place that does not respect human rights and lacks the rule of law, even the most prosperous façade is just an illusion. When Hong Kong returned to the Communist Party, its fate was already sealed.”
She urged people to be vigilant and especially reminded the Taiwanese people to cherish their existing freedoms.
Justin, a young Hong Kong protester who participated in the demonstrations, recalled that although he only assisted in transporting medical supplies, he witnessed citizens facing regime violence with their own bodies. “831 is not just a thing of the past, but an unhealed wound. Every commemoration serves as a reminder to ourselves and the world that things are far from over until justice prevails.”
He also emphasized that there are still many political prisoners in Hong Kong today, including young people as young as 19 who have been imprisoned simply for participating in political activities. Even overseas Hong Kongers have faced “cross-border suppression,” with friends’ families being harassed and intimidated in Hong Kong.
He called on the international community to pay attention and stressed “never forget 831.”
Another young activist, Jeffrey Leung, revealed that his relatives in Hong Kong were arrested because he submitted a petition to the Hague Court accusing British judges working in Hong Kong of violating human rights, highlighting the reality of the Hong Kong government’s cross-border suppression.
Activist Yuan Qiang pointed out that “831” is not just a scar on Hong Kong but also a complete blow to the trust in “One Country, Two Systems.” He said, “Hong Kong was once proud of its rule of law, fairness, and freedom, values that are also the most precious spiritual wealth of the Chinese nation. However, today they have been trampled over. This is not progress for the nation but a regression.”
Yuan emphasized that commemorating “831” is not about stoking hatred but reminding everyone that without the rule of law and democracy, anyone could be the next victim.