Crowd in Hong Kong Defies COVID-19 Gathering Ban for Tiananmen Square Anniversary Vigil

Defying a government ban on public gatherings, thousands of Hong Kongers came to the city’s Victoria Park for an annual June 4 vigil commemorating the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre, Hong Kong Free Press reported.

It is estimated that hundreds, perhaps thousands, died as China’s People’s Liberation Army cracked down on the student-led movement in Beijing on June 4, 1989, according to the Hong Kong Free Press.

A ban on public gatherings was initiated due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year marks the first time in 30 years the vigil was deemed illegal.

According to the Hong Kong Free Press, about an hour before the 8 pm start time, crowds pushed over metal barriers lining the park’s football fields and entered the area. At 8.09 pm, attendees observed a minute of silence to commemorate victims of the Chinese government crackdown in 1989.

This videos shows protesters gathered in Victoria Park. Credit: Galileo Cheng via Storyful