Hong Kong protesters in custody at Lai Chi Kok Reception Center plan to go ahead with their commemoration of the 31st anniversary of the Tiananmen Square bloody crackdown in each of their own cells despite opposition from the center.

Apple Daily learnt that detainees at the correctional facility—many of whom were arrested during the protests against the now-withdrawn extradition bill—applied for approval to conduct a memorial service for the victims of the 1989 pro-democracy protests at the centre. However, their application was rejected.

It is understood that some of the detainees decided to press ahead with their plans by praying and singing in each of their own cells on June 3, the night before the actual date of the crackdown which killed thousands in Beijing 31 years ago.

Netizens have planned to stage a vigil on the same night outside the correctional facility to join those who are detained at the center, since the annual commemoration event at Victoria Park is unlikely to take place this year.

The government has recently extended the ban on gatherings of groups of more than eight to June 4, saying that restriction will help stem the spread of coronavirus. But the extension until June 4 means that the Victoria Park vigil might not happen this year. The move has been widely interpreted as a measure to crack down on public gatherings ahead of the enactment of the new Hong Kong national security law imposed by Beijing.

A 38-year-old detainee named Wai told Apple Daily that he and other detainees had hoped to find a way to commemorate the Tiananmen Square crackdown at the center.

“It is possible to apply to organize activities at the center but whether the application will be approved is another issue,” Wai said during a 15-minute face-to-face meeting with an Apple Daily reporter at the center.

“They are more relaxed about religious activities but to commemorate June 4, chances for approval are slim. But I still want to go ahead because this is the only thing I can do. There is no turning back for Hongkongers.”

Wai is among the roughly 7,000 who were arrested during the protests. Hundreds of them are still detained and waiting for trial. Wai was arrested last October on suspicion of throwing tear gas canisters fired by the police into two Chinese restaurants. He was arrested again the following month on suspicion of possessing a petrol bomb and 100 liters of gasoline in a backpack and a warehouse. He was charged with possession of an offensive weapon in a public space but the trial has been postponed to June 9 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He has been detained for over six months.

Wai said he has made contact with some 40 fellow detainees at the center and they decided that even if they are not able to commemorate the June 4 crackdown together, they will still do so in each of their own cells.

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