Tiananmen Square crackdown amid coronavirus is about candles and online vigils

 | Updated: Jun 04, 2020, 11:15 AM IST

In 1989, on this day, the Chinese troops opened fired on thousand of people who had gathered  in and around central Beijing's Tiananmen Square to demonstrate in favour of democracy. Every year, people carry out marches and vigils to pay respects to the ones who lost their lives.

This year, many people in Hong Kong plan to commemorate this crackdown by lighting candles across the city on Thursday, circumventing a ban on the usual public gathering amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Thursday marks the anniversary of when Chinese troops open-fired on their own people to suppress pro-democracy demonstrations in and around central Beijing's Tiananmen Square.

Thursday marks the anniversary of when Chinese troops open-fired on their own people to suppress pro-democracy demonstrations in and around central Beijing's Tiananmen Square.

(Photograph:Reuters)

Every year, people in China come out to show their support and respect for the people who stood up for democracy in 1989. However, this year, the local police urged people to stay inside and fight the coronavirus.

Every year, people in China come out to show their support and respect for the people who stood up for democracy in 1989. However, this year, the local police urged people to stay inside and fight the coronavirus.

(Photograph:Reuters)

Still, some people said they intended to go to the city's Victoria Park anyway, as volunteers handed out white candles to people making the morning commute.

Still, some people said they intended to go to the city's Victoria Park anyway, as volunteers handed out white candles to people making the morning commute.

(Photograph:Reuters)

Also, vigil organisers called on residents to light candles across the city instead at 8:00 pm local time (1200 GMT) and hold a minute of silence shortly after.

Also, vigil organisers called on residents to light candles across the city instead at 8:00 pm local time (1200 GMT) and hold a minute of silence shortly after.

(Photograph:Reuters)
;

The Tiananmen crackdown is not officially commemorated in mainland China, where the topic is taboo and any discussion heavily censored.

The Tiananmen crackdown is not officially commemorated in mainland China, where the topic is taboo and any discussion heavily censored.

(Photograph:Reuters)

China has never provided a full accounting of the 1989 violence. The death toll given by officials days later was about 300, most of them soldiers, but rights groups and witnesses say the death toll could have run into the thousands.

China has never provided a full accounting of the 1989 violence. The death toll given by officials days later was about 300, most of them soldiers, but rights groups and witnesses say the death toll could have run into the thousands.

(Photograph:Reuters)