COMMEMORATIVE ACTIVITIES FOR THE 20th ANNIVERSARY OF JUNE FOURTH MASSACRE IN CHINA

The following details the events planned in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of June 4th. With such a massive initiative, a lot of volunteers are needed to ensure that all events run smoothly. Please, do join us! If you are interested in helping out, please fill in the form attached and send it back to us by email (contact@alliance.org.hk) or by fax (852-27706083).

Upcoming Activities 2009
I.Ching Ming Wreath Presentation Ceremony(April 4-5, 2009)

II.Democracy and Human Rights - A Message for Easter(April 10 - 13, 2009)

III. “Remember June 4th”Long Distance Run cum Family Walk detail(April 26, 2009)

IV. Local Publicity Events(May 2009)

V.“From May 4th to June 4th”Lecture Series(May 8 - May 29, 2009)

VI.A Kite for Democracy(May 17, 2009)

VII.“Reflection on June 4th: 20 Years On”Forum(May 24, 2009)

VIII. Public Calls for the Rectification of the June 4 Verdict(May 29 and June 4, 2009)

IX.May 31 Demonstration to Commemorate the 20th Anniversary of June 4 (May 31, 2009)

X.Candlelight Vigil for the 20th Anniversary of June 4(June 4, 2009)

X. Candlelight Vigil for the 20th Anniversary of June 4
Theme: The candlelight vigil will commemorate those who were killed in the June 4 Massacre and express our determination to succeed in realizing their goals.

Date: Thursday, June 4
Time: 8:00 p.m.
Place: The football fields in Victoria Park
Remarks: The Alliance can order bouquets on behalf of groups and individuals. If you are interested please fill in the attached bouquet booking form.

IX. May 31 Demonstration to Commemorate the 20 th Anniversary of June 4
(DECLARATION of the March to Commemorate the 20th Anniversary of June 4)
A rally and a march will be held to commemorate the 20 th Anniversary of June 4.
The themes will be:

* Remember June 4
* Inherit the goals of those who came before us
* Pass the torch on
* Relay the message of democracy to those who come after us

The rally and march will also reiterate the following pleas:

* that dissidents be released from prison;
* that the democratic movement of 1989 be vindicated;
* that those who ordered the June 4 massacre be held accountable;
* that one-party dictatorship be ended;
* and that democracy be realized in China.

Date : Sunday, May 31
Time : 3:00 p.m.
Place : Starting from the football fields in Victoria Park to the HKSAR Government Headquarters

VIII. Public Calls for the Rectification of the June 4 Verdict

Public statements (in Chinese) will be placed in Apple Daily on Friday, May 29(Friday) and Thursday, June 4.
Both statements will read:

“We, the undersigned, declare our unceasing and whole-hearted support for the patriotic democratic movement!

“We demand that dissidents be released from prison; that the democratic movement of 1989 be vindicated; that those who ordered the June 4 massacre be held accountable; that one-party dictatorship be ended; and that democracy be realized in China.”

Suggested donations for co-signing the public statement are: HK$50 for each organization and HK$10 for each person.

2009 is both the 90th anniversary of the May Movement and the 20th anniversary of the June 4 Massacre in China.
The Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China has decided on the following slogans to mark the occasions:

* Remember June 4
* Inherit the goals of those who came before us
* Pass the torch on
* Relay the message of democracy to those who come after us

We call on all who are concerned about the democratic development and human rights situation of China to renew their commitment to the fight to rectify the June 4 verdict and take up the goals of those who died fighting for democracy.

VII. “Reflection on June 4th: 20 Years On” Forum
Date: May 24th (Sunday)
Time: 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Place: Causeway Bay Service Centre of the Hong Kong Professional Teachers’ Union, (M/F., Wing Tak Mansion, 15 Canal Road West, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong)
No. of Seats: 100
Fees: $10, 50% off for students, elderly and recipients of comprehensive social security allowance
Language: Cantonese
Speakers:
1. Mr. Szeto Wah (Chairman of Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China)
2. Mr. Tsoi Yiu Cheong (Former Chairman of the Hong Kong Federation of Students )
3. Dr. Joseph Cheng Yu Shek (Professor of Political Science, City University of Hong Kong)
4. Mr. Ching Cheong (Former Wen Wei Po Editor, now a reporter at the Straits Times）
5. Mr. Wong Yuk Man (News Commentator)
6. Mr. Tse Chi Fung （Reporters following the democratic movement in 1989)
Booking: Those who would like to attend the forum, please fill in the application form and return it together with a cheque payable to Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China to 8/F, Good Hope Building, 618 Nathan Road, Kowloon. Please enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope with $1.4 postage. You can also register in person in Mong Kok Services Centre of Hong Kong Professional Teachers’ Union (8/F., Good Hope Building, 618 Nathan Road, Kowloon) or Causeway Bay Services Centre (M/F., Wing Tak Mansion, 15 Canal Road West, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong).

VI. A Kite for Democracy
During the 1989 democracy movement, the students protesting peacefully on the Tiananmen Square never showed any fear, even when threatened by the army. When the government sent in helicopters, the students flew kites to interfere with them. Today we imitate their act, to express our longing for democracy and our hope that one day, the kite of democracy will fly above China.

Date: Sunday, May 17th
Time: 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Venue: Clear Water Bay Country Park, Sai Kung

To sign up:
Please fill in the form and return it to Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, either in person or by mail. If you would like to use the transport or get a kite Hong Kong Alliance will provide, please enclose a cheque payable to Hong Kong Alliance for the correct amount.

If you wish to use our transport, the fee is $40 for a return trip. We can also order kites on your behalf for $10.

There are stalls selling kites in the area. Participants can also purchase kites from them.

If you are bringing your own kite and travelling by yourself, please contact the Alliance Secretariat on 27826111 to notify us of the number of people in your party, in order to help us to estimate the number of participants.

Groups and organisations are welcome to arrange their own events at the above venue on the day, and join in the kite flying in the afternoon.

Transport:
A tour bus from outside Macpherson Playground, Mongkok will take participants to Clearwater Bay. Please arrive outside Macpherson Playground, Mongkok by 1 p.m. if you wish to use our transport.

Directions:
Participants can take Bus #91 from the bus terminus in Hollywood Plaza , Diamond Hill MTR Station to go to Clear Water Bay,

or

take a maxicab Route 103M from Tseung Kwan O MTR Station,
alight at the road junction of Clear Water Bay Road and Tai Au Mun Road,
and walk forward along Clear Water Bay Road for about 20 minutes to Tai Heng Dun in Clear Water Bay Country Park ( i.e. the tourist centre of Clear Water Bay Country Park).
Please bring your own water.

V. The “From May 4 to June 4“ Lecture Series
The May 4th Movement of 1919 raised the twin banners of “democracy and science”. However, since the founding of the People’s Republic by the Chinese Communist Party in 1949, the principle of one-party rule has been strictly enforced, and attempts at democracy have been brutally crushed. In 1989, there was the infamous crackdown on the nationwide democracy movement, and even today a vibrant civil rights movement is being ruthlessly suppressed. Democracy still appears a distant dream.

When Deng Xiaoping came to power, he launched a series of reforms. but the reforms are restricted to the economic sphere. The reforms granted the Chinese people the economic freedoms that lead to strong economic growth, but have had very little effect on the political situation. The lack of political reform has lead to grave problems today such as widespread corruption, massive income inequality, no legal recourse or possibility for redress for vulnerable and marginalized groups and those who have suffered injustice, insufficient labor rights and protections, decreasing access to quality education and adequate health care, increasing social tensions, and constant assaults on freedoms of the press, of expression, and of association and assembly.
China’s road to democracy has been and continues to be long and tortuous. On the occasion of the important anniversaries - 90 years since the May 4 Movement and 20 years since the June 4 Incident - the Hong Kong Alliance will hold a series of lectures on China’s democracy movement in order to explore and reflect with the public about the past and the way forward.

Schedule:

Friday, May 8
“The Success and Failure of the May 4 Movement and its Historical Meaning”
Speaker: Dr. Joseph Cheng Yu Shek, Professor of Political Science, The City University of Hong Kong
Presenter: Mr. Mak Hoi Wah

Friday, May 15
“The Truth and Causes of June 4”
Speaker: Mr. Szeto Wah, Chairman of Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China
Presenter: Mr. Andrew To

Friday, May 22
“The Prospect of a Democratic China: Why don’t we have it? How can we get it?”
Speaker: Mr. Albert Ho Chun Yan, Secretary of Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China
Presenter: Mr. Lee Yiu Kee

Friday, May 29
“The Changes in China in the 20 years since June 4”
Speaker: Mr. Willy Lam Wo Lap, News Commentator
Presenter: Mr. Richard Tsoi Yiu Cheong

Booking: If you would like to attend any of the above lectures, please fill in the application form and return it together with a cheque payable to Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China to 8/F, Good Hope Building, 618 Nathan Road, Kowloon. Please write “From May 4 to June 4” on the envelope, and enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope with $1.4 postage.

You can also register in person at the Mong Kok Services Centre of Hong Kong Professional Teachers Union, 8/F., Good Hope Building, 618 Nathan Road, Kowloon or the Causeway Bay Services Centre, Wing Tak Mansion, 15 Canal Road West, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong.

Dates : Fridays, May 8, 15, 22 and 29, 2009
Time : 7:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Venue:

Kowloon office of the Hong Kong Professional Teachers’ Union,
8th floor, Good Hope Building,
618 Nathan Road, Mongkok, Kowloon

Fee : $20 per lecture
50% off for students, elderly and recipients of comprehensive social security allowance
Language : Cantonese

IV. Local Publicity Events The following schedule is for reference only pdf ; if you or your group have suggestions of any better venues, or are willing to take charge of venue booking and organising for any particular date, please contact us on 27826111. Those who would like to volunteer their time, please return the sign up form by fax (27706083) or by email(contact@alliance.org.hk), and we will contact you shortly.

Your group /school /centre are welcome to invite us to host exhibition on the democratic movement, to show June 4th video or to give lectures. There is a list of available display boards and videos on our website. Through the hosting of these activities, we hope to enhance the public’s knowledge of the 89′ democratic movement, so that we as a people can learn from history. We also hope to explore the meaning of building a fair and just society, to re-establish the relationship between the individual and the country, and to provoke people into thinking about what they can do for their country.

III. “Remember June 4th ” 20km Long Distance Run cum Family Walk detail(April 26, 2009)
Theme: To draw parallel between the spirit of 89′ democratic movement and the spirit of long distance running - both require persistence in order to prevail. At 8.45pm (8.9) on Sunday April 26th, 2009 (20th anniversary of the publication of the “426 Editorial”), a 20km long distance run will begin , starting from outside the Legislative Council (LegCo) Building, Central to commemorate The 20th Anniversary of June Fourth Massacre in China. The run will end at the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR (Liaison Office), where we will present bouquets at the Statue of Democracy in front of the Liaison Office. This year we have added the “Family Walk” catering for parents with young children. We hope that parents can explain to their children the history of the 89′ democratic movement, and attend the commemorative activities together, to achieve the aim of passing on the torch.

On April 26th 1989, the People’s Daily published an editorial titled “Uphold the flag to unambiguously oppose any turmoil”, slandering the patriotic student movement as a turmoil instigated by an “extremely small handful of opportunists” and certain “illegal organisations” in the universities, aggravating the hostilities between the government and the people. We demand a public apology from the People’s Daily, and request that the Chinese government calls the 89′ movement by its rightful name - that is, a patriotic demand for democracy.

Date: April 26th (Sunday)

II. Democracy and Human Rights - A Message for Easter
Theme: The Alliance will set up booths in various public areas to spread the message of democracy and human rights, and to invite the public to take part in our commemorative activities.
Date / Venue:
April 10th (Friday) Outside The Goldmark Exit, Causeway Bay MTR Station
April 11th (Saturday) Sai Yeung Choi Street South Pedestrian Zone, Mongkok
April 12th (Sunday) Outside A3 Exit, Wanchai MTR Station
April 13th (Monday) Tai Ho Road, Tsuen Wan next to On Wing Street
Time: 12:00noon -7:00p.m.

I. Ching Ming Festival Wreath Presentation Ceremony
Theme: On the 33th anniversary of the April 5th Tiananmen Incident , the Alliance will hold a wreath presentation ceremony, a photo exhibition and a public forum in memory of those who have sacrificed their lives for the pursuit of democracy, and express our determination to continue our struggle for a democratic China.
Date: April 4th -5th (Saturday & Sunday)
Venue: Clock Tower, Tsim Sha Tsui
Schedule: The wreath presentation ceremony will be held at 11a.m. on April 4th. The commemorative area will be open to the public till 6 p.m. of April 5th , where groups and members of the public are welcome to present their own bouquets. The public forum will be held at 4pm, April 5th in the same venue.
Please note: The Alliance can order bouquets on behalf of groups and individuals. Those who are interested please fill in the “bouquet ordering form” attached. For enquiries, please contact 27826111.