Democracy Movement in Hong Kong – More Universities Remove Tiananmen Monuments – News

On Thursday night, the authorities had already removed a statue commemorating the victims of the 1989 uprising.

Two other universities in Hong Kong removed monuments to commemorate the 1989 Tiananmen protests in Beijing on Friday. In a statement from the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) it said that the statue had not been approved: “After an internal assessment and as the administrator of the university campus, it removed the CUHK.”

The 6.4 meter high bronze statue of the “Goddess of Democracy”, which holds up a flame, was removed shortly before sunrise. “I am heartbroken and shocked,” said Felix Chow, a former CUHK student and member of the district council.

«This statue represents an open school environment. It is a symbol of academic freedom. People doubt whether the school can still guarantee that the room is free and that people can speak freely, ”Chow told Reuters.

For its part, Lingnan University in Hong Kong removed a wall relief from the Tiananmen massacre, which also contained a representation of the “goddess of democracy”. The university said that items that could pose “legal and safety risks” had been removed and stored.

Painted over with gray paint

A red image of the goddess of democracy in the main hall of the student union at Lingnan University had been painted over with gray paint. Artist Chen Weiming, who created both the statue and the mural, said he would sue the universities if his works were damaged.

On Thursday night, the authorities had already removed a statue commemorating the victims of the 1989 uprising. The so-called “Pillar of Shame” was erected in 1997 on the grounds of Hong Kong University. The work of art was reminiscent of the violent crackdown on the protests in Beijing.

Unlike the rest of the country, where the authorities have banned all public memorial services on June 4, 1989, Hong Kong was the only place on Chinese soil where such memorial services were allowed.