Photos: Thousands in Hong Kong defy ban to hold Tiananmen candle vigil

Thousands of people defied a ban to gather with candles in Hong Kong on June 4 to mark the Tiananmen Square crackdown in 1989. The annual meeting in the city's Victoria Park struck an especially sensitive nerve this year after China's move last month to impose national security legislation and the passage of a bill outlawing disrespect of China's national anthem. Hong Kong and Macau are the only parts of China that have been allowed to mark the killings.

Updated on: Jun 05, 2020 10:31 AM IST

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University students clean the "Pillar of Shame" statue, a memorial for those killed in the 1989 Tiananmen crackdown on June 4. China is tightening controls over dissidents while pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong and elsewhere try to mark the 31st anniversary of the crushing of the pro-democracy movement in Beijing's Tiananmen Square. (Kin Cheung / AP)

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People gather at Victoria Park to commemorate the 31st anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown in Hong Kong. This year’s vigil was banned by authorities, citing coronavirus restrictions on group gatherings. (Isaac Lawrence / AFP)

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People sit spaced apart as they gather at Victoria Park to commemorate the 31st anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown in Hong Kong, China, on June 4. The defiant gathering came hours after pro-Beijing lawmakers in Hong Kong’s legislature succeeded in passing a bill criminalising insults to China’s national anthem. (Justin Chin / Bloomberg )

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Pan-democratic legislators observe one minute of silence on the 31st anniversary of the Tiananmen crackdown before a Legislative Council meeting to debate the national anthem bill in Hong Kong on June 4. On the anniversary of Tiananmen crackdown, Hong Kong continued debating a contentious law that makes it illegal to insult or abuse the Chinese national anthem. (Vincent Yu / AP)

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A large display showing the Goddess of Democracy is seen on a pavement near Victoria Park in Hong Kong. In response to pro-democracy demonstrations, last month Beijing announced plans to impose the security law, which would cover secession, subversion of state power, terrorism and foreign interference. (Issac Lawrence / AFP)

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A woman holds up a candle at Victoria Park during the annual candle-light vigil. Hong Kong was engulfed by seven straight months of huge and often violent pro-democracy protests last year. (Paul Yeung / Bloomberg)

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People push down barricades set up to block access to Victoria Park on June 4. Hundreds of people, including some prominent democracy leaders, broke through barriers at Victoria Park. (Anthony Wallace / AFP)

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People hold candles as they gather in Mong Kok district to commemorate the 31st anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown, in Hong Kong, China, on June 4. (Roy Lio / Bloomberg)