On 4 June 1989, the violent clearance of Beijing’s Tiananmen Square shocked the world. In Hong Kong, grief-stricken residents marched in their hundreds of thousands, with Victoria Park becoming a focal point for mourning. That year, the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China (the Alliance) was founded, pledging to “vindicate June Fourth and hold perpetrators accountable.” Since 1990, the Alliance has held annual candlelight vigils in Victoria Park on 4 June, commemorating the Tiananmen victims and demanding truth and justice. This event has become Hong Kong’s most iconic act of remembrance, drawing global attention.
Form and Features
The Victoria Park vigils are renowned for their solemn yet heartfelt atmosphere, blending mourning with civic education:
- Candlelight Ceremony: Around 7 p.m., participants light candles or phone torches, transforming the park’s lawn into a sea of light. The Alliance’s chair or guests lead a moment of silence for the fallen.
- Music and Poetry: Songs like Flowers of Freedom and Democracy Will Triumph echo through the crowd, embodying hopes for democracy. The collective singing is deeply moving.
- Speeches and Testimonies: Alliance members, Tiananmen Mothers representatives, or exiled student leaders (e.g., Wang Dan, Wuer Kaixi) share truths and experiences via recordings or in person.
- Victims’ Roll Call: The vigil recites known victims’ names (e.g., from Ding Zilin’s list), urging remembrance of their sacrifice.
- Goddess of Democracy: A replica of the Goddess of Democracy statue is often displayed, symbolising resistance. Attendees offer flowers or messages of condolence.
- Slogans and Demands: The vigil centres on calls to “vindicate June Fourth,” “end one-party rule,” and “release political prisoners.” In recent years, “Never Forget June Fourth, Uphold Justice” has resonated strongly.
At their peak (1990s–2010s), vigils drew tens of thousands, including students, families, and mainland visitors. Global media, such as BBC and CNN, dubbed them the “world’s largest June Fourth commemoration.”
Hong Kong’s Unique Role
The vigils are more than memorials; they symbolise Hong Kong’s civic consciousness:
- Bastion of Truth: With June Fourth censored in mainland China, Hong Kong became a global hub for truth. Vigils allowed mainland visitors to access forbidden history, with some taking photos or materials home.
- Civic Education: The events engaged youth through songs, speeches, and displays, fostering democratic awareness. Schools and groups often brought students to participate.
- Global Impact: The vigils positioned Hong Kong as a beacon of freedom, attracting overseas Chinese and international attendees, enhancing its global image.
Recent Challenges
Since the 2020 National Security Law, the vigils have faced unprecedented hurdles:
- Prohibitions: From 2020 to 2024, vigils were banned for five consecutive years, citing “public health” or “security.” In 2020, thousands still gathered to light candles, with some arrested.
- Alliance’s Dissolution: In 2021, the Alliance was forced to disband under National Security Law allegations, with leaders like Lee Cheuk-yan and Albert Ho detained, disrupting vigil organisation.
- Risks to Participants: Public mourning carries legal risks. In 2021, activist Chow Hang-tung was jailed for urging candlelight tributes, charged with “inciting subversion.” Residents shifted to private acts, such as lighting candles at home or sharing “8964” symbols.
- Venue Issues: Victoria Park has been booked for unrelated events (e.g., carnivals) around 4 June, limiting mourning space and sparking public discontent.
Yet, Hong Kong residents persist. In 2023 and 2024, individuals lit candles near Victoria Park or Causeway Bay, and artists used performances (e.g., “8964” gestures) to mourn, reflecting resilience.
History and Future
From 150,000 attendees at the first vigil in 1990 to 180,000 at the last public event in 2019, Victoria Park has witnessed three decades of Hong Kong’s resolve. This lawn is not just a site of mourning but a microcosm of the city’s democratic aspirations. As public events face restrictions, residents turn to online tributes (e.g., candlelight images on X), overseas rallies (London, Taipei), or personal acts, keeping the flame alive.
Conclusion
The Victoria Park candlelight vigils are Hong Kong’s solemn pledge to the June Fourth victims and a testament to truth and justice. From seas of light to the strains of Flowers of Freedom, this land holds the city’s grief and hope. As part of HKCitizen.net, let us document this history, ensuring Victoria Park’s flame burns in every heart, honouring the fallen and inspiring the future.
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