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Remembering June Fourth in Hong Kong & New York

June 4, 2021

In 2021, Hong Kong authorities, citing coronavirus health risks, banned, for the second year straight, the annual candlelight vigil in Victoria Park where Hong Kongers had gathered every June 4 since 1990 to commemorate the victims of June Fourth crackdown on the 1989 Democracy Movement. The police also send 7,000 officers across the city to prevent people from gathering “unlawfully.” But Hong Kongers found many ways to remember—with a lit candle on a fire hydrant, graffiti on the wall, and flashlights shone from their phones, and more.

Below are scenes of remembrance from the streets of Hong Kong and from New York City on June 3-4, 2021.

 

Hong Kong


Restaurant menu with characters for “forget June 3” and “forget June 5,” but a candle on the date June 4. North Point, Hong Kong, June 4, 2021


People signing at a street booth with neon sign that reads “Free Political Prisoners, Reassess June Fourth.” Hong Kong, June 4, 2021


People holding candles and shining flashlights from their phones. Hong Kong, June 4, 2021


People shining flashlights from their phones. Hong Kong, June 4, 2021


A street banner that reads “War of Remembrance.” Hong Kong, June 4, 2021


A street booth with a banner that reads “The 32nd Anniversary of June Fourth. Free All Political Prisoners. Resist Totalitarian Rule.” Hong Kong, June 4, 2021


People shining flashlights from their phones. Hong Kong, June 4, 2021


A street booth with a poster that reads “People’s Hearts Never Die, Candle Light Never Ceases.” Hong Kong, June 4, 2021


Artist Sanmu Chan (陈式森) with the slogan “June Alliance” on his T-shirt and holding a guitar to protest the ban on protest songs. Hong Kong, June 4, 2021


Artist Sanmu Chan (陈式森) displaying the slogan “Don’t Light a Candle in Victoria Park” on his guitar case. Hong Kong, June 4, 2021


Activist Alexandra Wong (王凤瑶), a.k.a. Grandma Wong, sitting in front of a line of police officers     Hong Kong, June 4, 2021


Activist Alexandra Wong (王凤瑶), a.k.a. Grandma Wong, with an umbrella (symbol of Hong Kong protests), an electronic display that reads “Don’t Let the Truth Be Submerged,” and a bouquet of flowers for June Fourth victims. Hong Kong, June 4, 2021


People holding candles on the street. Hong Kong, June 4, 2021


A graffiti symbolizing remembrance of June Fourth. Hong Kong, June 4, 2021


Lighted candle on a fire hydrant. Hong Kong, June 4, 2021


Man holding a sign of the three-finger (pro-democracy) salute calling for “Freedom, Democracy, Human Rights.” Hong Kong, June 4, 2021


People shining flashlights from their phones. Hong Kong, June 4, 2021


Light inside a clear bottle. Hong Kong, June 4, 2021


People shining flashlights from their phones. Hong Kong, June 4, 2021

 

Candlelight vigil, Washington Square Park, New York City, June 4, 2021


Signs that read “Freedom” and “Reassess 1989 Protests”


Cardboard sign that reads “Never Forget June Fourth”


Arranging candles into the number “64”


Attendees holding candles


The number “64” in candlelight


Attendees holding candles in remembrance of June Fourth

 

HRIC staff members honor the victims of June Fourth, New York City, June 3, 2021