Beijing's grip on Hong Kong is getting tougher.
On June 4 last year, thousands of people were in Victoria Park to honor the victims of the 1989 massacre in Beijing. They stood in mouth guards, a few meters apart.
The demonstration had not received any permission.
But even if many were arrested afterwards, it was at least possible to carry out a demonstration, then.
Before that, for 30 years, people in Hong Kong had held large demonstrations every year.
This year, the demonstrations are even more banned.
7,000 police patrol the streets of Hong Kong.
Victoria Park is closed and 3,000 police officers are adjacent to the park.
Last year, the authorities referred to the pandemic to ban the demonstration, and this year they will do the same.
First anniversary with new security laws
In connection with the memorial day, Prime Minister Carrie Lam has also warned against violating the new so-called security laws that were enacted last year.
They are, for example, about subversive political activity.
The police have referred to another older law on unauthorized public gatherings.
It was founded by the British when Hong Kong was still a British colony, and according to it, anyone who participates in an illicit public gathering can be punished with up to five years in prison.
Several activists arrested
Police have also warned that anyone wearing a lighted candle or wearing black clothing near Victoria Park will be considered to be participating in an unauthorized gathering.
And if you perform “mourning behavior” in other parts of Hong Kong, this also counts as attending an unauthorized gathering.
This year's event has not been approved, despite appeals.
Several people who tried to organize this year's demonstration have been arrested, among them activist Chow Hang-tung.