Generations come together to mark Tiananmen crackdown 26 years on

Hundreds sat solemnly at the heart of the city last night marking the 26th anniversary of the Tiananmen massacre in 1989, when tens of thousands students were crushed to death by tanks. Despite the obviously low turnout compared to last year’s, the unanimous goal of the candlelit vigil remains the same: to seek democracy realization in China and vindication of the deceased.
Lawmaker Ng Kuok Cheong, one of the vigil’s promoters, has for many years been refusing to forget what happened in Tiananmen Square back in 1989. “China still has one party only, and therefore the problem remains,” he stated.
The lawmaker pledged to continue promoting democracy here in Senado Square, and remembering Tiananmen is an important step.
Among those taking part in the candlelight vigil yesterday, a smiling elderly woman in a wheelchair stood out from the crowd. Seated right next was her daughter, Maria de Fátima Brandão, who has been participating in the rally for the past decade.
“My mother was here in Macau when it happened and she took action. They also organized a gathering; it was something that went peacefully. Now she is 92 years old and I have been bringing her here for almost ten years,” she said.
Maria de Fátima was studying in Japan back in 1989, where she received the news of the Tiananmen protests. “I am here for the memory of what happened in 1989. I came here with my mother because we want to keep the memory alive and tell people what happened. We want freedom to say what we want, without hurting others. We want people to know the truth,” she stressed.
In recent years, the vigil has also been capturing the attention of younger generations. A sixteen-year-old Macau resident, surnamed Lei, has likewise been joining the June 4 vigil for the past three years. He stressed that the reason why he’s been taking part has changed over time: “Before I joined because I personally felt angry for what happened to those students. But this time I came here because I want to know what other people in Macau think about this.”
Although he believes that Macau citizens are currently not interested in political affairs, Lei trusts that the apathy will soon be over, since Hong Kong has been fighting for universal suffrage. “I believe that after what happened in Hong Kong more people will take part in these activities.”
Political scientist Eric Sautede, who also took part yesterday, recalled that the event is bigger than it used to be, although not reaching the number of participants seen last year.
“Last year, was exceptional because [of the protests of] May 25 and 27. There was a momentum (…) but it’s bigger than it used to be, and it’s an indication of a growing awareness and people’s growing sense to be more politically engaged,” he said.
Encouraged by her daughter and grandson, an elderly lady who only gave her surname, Leung, also made the decision to attend. “I was on the mainland when the June 4 incident took place, I wasn’t sure of what happened at that time […] We weren’t allowed to talk about it, ” said the 76-year-old senior sitting on a stool. “I learnt a lot since I started my life here in Macau in 1990. I’ll come as long as there is still a vigil in the future.”
Another participant from the mainland who has worked in the local media industry for eight years told the Times that she was so moved by the enthusiasm felt at the memorial that she insists on passing on the message to the next generation.
“It was my first time attending the event although I knew the vigil for years. Macau people made me […] how should I put it? Under the tightened censorship on the mainland […] Usually Hong Kong would host such events, yet Macau was submissive. I felt so delighted to see so many people here willing to grasp history,” said the lady. “At least we should seek truth, justice and integrity which are universal virtues.”
Anson Yeung, a fresh graduate from the neighboring SAR, where a massive assembly is also held annually to mark the bloody crackdown (see page 11), was also among the participants last night. “It feels more grave in Hong Kong, yet it doesn’t feel so much like that here,” said the young architect who just spent five months here. However, he refused to disclose much for fear of being denied entry into Macau in the future, in reference to the past few cases where HK journalists and outspoken advocates were turned back upon arrival. MDT