Peaceful vigils have their place in Hong Kong
- The event may have been banned this year as a result of social-distancing rules, but as long as it and other gatherings do not pose a threat to public safety and order there is no reason they should not go ahead
The circumstances under which Hong Kong people this year commemorated the crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989, were extraordinary. Coming in the face of a ban by police against the traditional candlelight vigil in Victoria Park due to the Covid-19 threat and in the shadow of an upcoming national security law, there were doubts that it could take place.
But the annual event is symbolic of the city’s freedoms and the spirit of Hongkongers cannot easily be broken; thousands of participants dodged barricades and officers showed restraint, enabling the usual peaceful gathering. Moderation and tolerance were on show, elements that are necessary to ensure the occasion of solemn remembrance can continue into the future.
A rash of local coronavirus cases in Sha Tin earlier in the week had caused alarm. The ban on the vigil was in line with social-distancing orders to prevent the spread of the disease.
But authorities are only too aware of the importance of the event to the city and how it is closely watched internationally to gauge the health of freedoms promised by Beijing. Rules were set aside at Victoria Park and elsewhere across Hong Kong, with police standing by while participants lit candles and torches in memory of the victims.
After almost a year of protests that had often turned violent, there was obvious concern that radicals would hijack the vigil.
Coming amid controversy over Beijing’s impending imposition of national security legislation, the strong police presence at Victoria Park was to be expected, although few officers were at other remembrance events.
They reminded crowds of the illegality of the gatherings, but took a mild and flexible approach, ignoring anti-government chants and even calls for independence and only intervening against lawbreakers in Mong Kok.
There are concerns about Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy under the law being drafted that will ban “acts and activities” seen as endangering national security. Hong Kong is the only place on Chinese soil under Beijing’s jurisdiction where a large-scale June 4 commemoration takes place.
As long as it and other gatherings do not pose a threat to public safety and order, authorities should give the go-ahead.
