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Editorial:The June 4 Candlelight will shine, no matter how strong the “north wind” is (Apple Daily HK)

蘋果日報 2020/06/04 11:45


by Lo Fung
Today is the 31st anniversary of the June 4th crackdown. This year’s memorial event is more difficult and yet valuable than any other years in the past.
In the past 31 years, Hong Kong used candlelight to commemorate the people with lofty ideals, those who sacrificed for democracy and freedom that night in 1989 and were the last fortress of the conscience and historical truth on the land of China.
Every year, with the use of candlelights, hundreds of thousands citizens show our persistence and hope for democracy and freedom, declaring our determination to refuse to forget; we never stop and never flinch. Those in power have hated this for a long time and hoped to extinguish the candlelight that shines like stars as soon as possible. But we all withstood the pressure with a sea of candlelight, take pride in this unique scenery of our city.
The situation this year is more dangerous than those in the past as the pressure imposed by those in power is much greater. In addition to the usual obstruction, they vigorously aimed at history education in schools, attempting to replace historical facts with the historical perspective of the CCP and pluralistic discussion with the stand of the ruler. They took this as a starting point to prevent the school from organising activities to commemorate the June 4th event, hoping to eliminate people’s memory of the historical event. In fact, in this year’s public examination, the Education Bureau seized a history exam question as a pretext and forced the Examination Authority to cancel that particular question. Education officials, the China state media, and the red media started a ‘Cultural Revolution’ in Hong Kong. They overwhelmingly condemned the education sector for their historical views of being toxic to the next generation, suggesting the need of rectification.
Shamelessly use the pandemic to cover historical truths
Beijing is working hard to implant distorted historical concepts into Hong Kong. They are vigorously eliminating and purifying any facts and opinions that are different from their historical statements.
The mourning of June 4 is a powerful refutation of CCP’s lies and a powerful testimony to the truth of history. Those in power did not only target the school but also doubled their pressure and obstruction in other areas. They forced the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China to cancel or reduce the scale of related events and exhibitions, or have some of the events stay virtual, so that less information related to June 4 will be circulated or discussed this year.
Those in power could not be more shameless. They take the coronavirus pandemic as an excuse to further suppress the symbolic mourning activities, the Candlelight Vigil at the Victoria Garden, of the June 4th Massacre. Despite the efforts of the organisers to come up with plans to help participants to keep social distance during the peaceful assembly, the police refused to respond. The police were reluctant to make any concessions or arrangements even after a face-to-face meeting with the organisers. Few days ago, the police issued a notice of opposition to the June 4 rally on the grounds of the pandemic and public security. Also with the government’s arbitrary extension of the prohibition of social gathering, this year's June 4 candlelight vigil faces unprecedented pressure and restriction. Those in power probably think their 30-year plans to extinguish the candlelights in Victoria Park will succeed!
Hongkongers determined to defend freedom
However, those in power are wrong. They certainly underestimated Hongkongers’ determination to defend their rights, freedom, and the truth. Lots of people have already stated online that they will still light their candles and mourn at the Victoria Park as usual. There will still be events. Churches will hold mass in memory of those who died in the June 4th Massacre. Citizens will light up their candles in their neighbourhood, on the streets, in parks, or at home. Hongkongers wanted to let the whole world know, they will never forget history and they will never forgo their rights and freedom.
Looking at the suppression to the June 4th memorial events this year, also with the imposition of the national security law, it is normal to expect that the situation next year will only get worse. Those who dare to voice out might be arrested or charged. However, our conscience, our freedom, our rights are the core values and the soul of Hong Kong. We have to light our candles and show everyone that our soul is strong enough to withstand the fear. No matter how strong the “north wind” is, we will not back down, and we will not let the June 4th candlelight be extinguished.
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