Commemorating the enactment of the national security law. It seemed to target much of the pro-democracy movement, Hong Kong authorities have cracked down on political disagreement. Workers removed a monument commemorating the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre from a Hong Kong university early Thursday, despite the Danish creator’s displeasure.
Danish sculptor Jens Galschit created the 8-meter (26-foot) tall Pillar of Shame. It illustrates 50 torn and twisted bodies piled on top of each other. To commemorate the lives lost during the bloody military crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989. Nevertheless, the Tiananmen massacre statute became a point of disagreement in October. The university wanted the elimination of the statute. Even though the judgment certainly had objections from activists and rights groups. Galschit has offered to take it back to Denmark. In exchange for legal immunity from prosecution under Hong Kong’s national security law. Unfortunately, there has been no success.
Late Wednesday night, workers blockaded the monument at the University of Hong Kong. Drilling and clattering could be heard coming from the boarded-up site, which was being patrolled by guards.“No party has ever obtained any approval from the university to display the statue on campus, and the university has the right to take appropriate actions to handle it at any time,” the university said in a statement Thursday.
The university has the right to take appropriate actions to handle it at any time
“Latest legal advice given to the university cautioned that the continued display of the statue would pose legal risks to the university based on the Crimes Ordinance enacted under the Hong Kong colonial government.” The university stated that it had requested that the statute be stored. And that it would continue to seek legal advice on any subsequent actions.
The university notified the now-defunct candlelight vigil organizer, the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China. In October the Tiananmen massacre statute had to be discarded. Due to “the most recent risk assessment and legal advice.” The organization had stated that it was dissolving due to an oppressive climate and that it did not own the sculpture. Instead, the university was to contact its creator.
When contacted by The Associated Press, sculptor Galschit stated that he was only aware of what was going on with the sculpture on Wednesday through social media and other reports. The law prohibits secession, subversion, terrorism, and foreign collusion in city affairs. It was enacted by Beijing in response to months of anti-government protests in 2019. Over 100 pro-democracy activists there certainly have been arrests under the national security law. Over the years, the law has been getting criticism. For rescinding the freedoms promised to Hong Kong when Britain handed it over to China in 1997.
Moreover, on June 4, members of the now-defunct student union would wash the statue in remembrance of the Tiananmen Square massacre. Authorities in Hong Kong have banned the annual candlelight vigil for the past two years. Citing public safety risks from the coronavirus pandemic.