Tiananmen vigil in Hong Kong's Victoria Park drew thousands despite ban

The show of defiance on Thursday night came on a politically charged day as the legislature passed a law criminalising disrespect for the national anthem, amid a raging controversy over China's top legislative body tailor-making a national security law for the city, reports the South China Morning Post (SCMP).

The participants held up candles and lights as the vigil began at 8 p.m., and observed a minute's silence at 8.09 p.m. to mourn those who died 31 years ago.

Police, who had warned they had thousands of riot officers ready and would enforce anti-coronavirus rules limiting groups to a maximum of eight people each, stood back as the crowds poured into the park in Causeway Bay and took up a couple of football pitches.

The peace was broken only in Mong Kok when protesters blocked Argyle Street and plain-clothes police officers used pepper spray and batons to stop them. Sources said that at least four people were arrested.

At Victoria Park, social-distancing rules were set aside as participants lit candles and torches in remembrance of the victims of the June 4, 1989 crackdown on China's pro-democracy protests, and shouted slogans challenging Beijing's authority.

They also ignored messages broadcast over loudspeakers that they could be spreading COVID-19, said the SCMP report.On whether the organiser of the vigil would face arrest for the illegal gathering, a source said that police would pursue the matter subject to the strength of evidence. (IANS)

Also watch: Evening Bulletin | 5th June, 2020