Hong Kong’s Protestors Face Prison Time After June 4 Candle‑Lining
It’s strange–I mean, it’s even stranger–that the once‑free British colony now has to hand out guilt‑bites for a candle‑lit vigil. In a surprisingly quick decision, government courts handed out prison sentences ranging from six to ten months to nine activists who shrugged off the prohibitive ban and joined last year’s unsanctioned 4‑June memorial for the victims of the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown.
Why the Ban? We Think It’s Not Just COVID
Under the pandemic rules, the police put a blanket “no‑public‑gathering” stamp on the vigil, but many eyes and instincts in Hong Kong say there’s another motive at play. Following the 2019 pro‑democracy wave, the authorities cracked down on any show of dissent, and the never‑ending pledge of “wide‑ranging freedoms” feels more like a lip‑service sheet‑alike.
In spite of the prohibition, thousands of people still lit their candles in 2020, and the crowd in 2021 was a bit smaller but no less determined.
Quick Take‑away: The Authorities Bar, The People Carry on
- Six to ten months of prison for nine activists.
- Vigil stays the largest global commemoration of 4‑June.
- COVID restrictions used as a pre‑text for stifling protest.
The moral? Even a “no‑gathering” note can’t smother the light people shine for their values – but the court’s sentencing shows how far the city’s authorities are willing to spread cold. The story remains simmering with promises of freedom feeling a touch frostier than the summer heat of Hong Kong’s streets.
<img alt="" data-caption="Pro-democracy activists shout slogans outside the court to support activists charged for participating in the assembly on June 4 to commemorate the 1989 crackdown on protesters in and around Beijing's Tiananmen Square, in Hong Kong, China, on Sept 15, 2021.
PHOTO: Reuters” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”3782f37d-5807-4a63-920d-43e54e4bffcc” src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/protest2.jpg”/>
Hong Kong Activists Face Heat for Ignoring Public Health
Judge Amanda Woodcock made it clear: the defendants slackened and scoffed at a genuine health crisis.
- Three activists have been handed suspended sentences—a slap on the wrist, but still a fine print.
- The entire crew of 12, including veteran vigil organiser Albert Ho, ex‑lawmaker Eddie Chu, and former Civil Human Rights Front leader Figo Chan, all pleaded guilty.
- Last week, the police raided members of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements under Beijing’s national security laws.
- Authorities say the Alliance is a “foreign forces agent”; the group says that’s a stretch.
- Leadership trio—Albert Ho, Lee Cheuk‑yan, and Chow Hang Tung—were charged with inciting subversion. Ho and Lee already serve jail terms from the 2019 protests; Chow was denied bail.
When the judge laid out the verdict, it was crystal clear: protecting the community isn’t a side gig—it’s the headline act.
<img alt="" data-caption="Pro-democracy activist Alexandra Wong greets people (not in picture) outside the court who are supporting activists charged for participating in the assembly on June 4 to commemorate the 1989 crackdown on protesters in and around Beijing's Tiananmen Square, in Hong Kong, China, on Sept 15, 2021.
PHOTO: Reuters” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”b299f17c-a8c8-40e2-9ed9-c7caccb54b27″ src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/protest3_0.jpg”/>
Police Sweep at the Former Tiananmen Memorial
Last week, beat cops swept through the shuttered site of the Tiananmen Victims’ Museum, a museum that had been in limbo since June 2nd. The closure came after the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department got snoopy on the museum’s licensing paperwork.
What’s the Latest?
- Policing the Past: Officers conducted a full raid, interrogating staff and taking inventory of exhibits.
- From Brick to Click: The physical museum shut its doors, but the story didn’t end there—“8964 Museum” emerged online, continuing the mission in a digital format.
- Freedom of the Press? The new online platform now operates independently, no longer under the aegis of the former Alliance. It’s a classic case of “off‑grid governance” allowing curators to re‑frame history outside the shadow of authority.
Why This Matters to the Hong Kong Crowd
For activists back home, this episode adds a new chapter to the ongoing struggle for democracy and transparency. Having their own platform – separate from any oversight – offers a fresh battleground for memories and messages, a place where inmates of history and activism no longer have to share a single hallway of restriction.
A Wink to the Past, a Laugh for the Future
All in all, Hall Street’s shuttered museum stitched itself back into the cultural tapestry through the power of the internet. It’s a reminder that when physical walls slam shut, ideas still manage to find a way out – and sometimes, they do it with a wink and a grin.
