Hong Kong police ban city’s annual Tiananmen Square vigil for first time in 30 years, citing Covid-19 threat
- Vigil organisers ask public to light candles across city, say supporters still plan to enter Victoria Park on June 4 to observe a moment of silence
- Coronavirus concerns just a pretext for police to reject permit, veteran pan-democrat Lee Cheuk-yan argues
The vigil’s organiser, the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, said alliance members would still enter Victoria Park to observe a moment of silence that night, and called on the public to light candles across the city and join an online gathering to commemorate the June 4, 1989, crackdown.
At least 60 booths will be set up across the city in the afternoon to distribute candles with the help of opposition lawmakers and district councillors, according to the alliance.
The official prohibition came on Monday, as Hong Kong recorded three new local coronavirus infections, raising the total to five in just two days after more than two weeks without a locally transmitted case.
In the letter of objection, police cited the prohibition against public gatherings of more than eight people, which was earlier extended to June 4, and said any large public assemblies would increase infection risks for the public.
