Vigil Starts For Beijing Massacre Victims

Thousands of people are taking part in a candlelight vigil in Victoria Park for the victims of the 1989 Beijing massacre.

"End one-party rule," they chanted, in defiance of fears that they could cross Beijing's "redline" and risk being banned from running in Legislative Council elections.

The rainy weather didn't deter people from turning up, even though this meant they had to stand on the football pitches after a heavy shower instead of sitting on the ground.

The annual event was organised by the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China. It said all six football pitches are now packed with people.

It had earlier said that this year's themes are: "the struggle against authoritarian rule and mourning victims of the 1989 crackdown."

Perry Dino, a painter, said he attends the vigil every year to capture what he sees with his brush.

"I can capture the moment of Hong Kong people, because the freedom of Hong Kong has now become squeezed and decreased. Two years before, I can draw on the flyover near the public library, but now it cannot," he said.

"Just capture the moment in Hong Kong. Sometimes I…I'm now changing. I need to add some my opinions about the area, the atmosphere. Last year I draw some ghosts flying in the sky. My main concept is, I want the next generation can see the facts. I have two daughters also. But sometimes the government don't want show the facts to the people. I just want to use the old-fashioned way like oil painting to keep the facts," Dino added.

Ms Law, who brought her two-year-old son to the vigil, said: "it is very important to pass the history on, and let more young people know about what had happened in China in 1989. That's why I bring my son here and hope to encourage all the young people that we need to keep fighting for democracy. I hope we can uphold Hong Kong’s core values. I will keep coming. I'm scared about that because that's our freedom of speech will be limit[ed]," she added.

A 16-year-old, who attended the vigil for the first time said: "I [am] scared people will forget history. Therefore I think I need to come."