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Beijing massacre remembered
Agence France Presse - June 1, 2009
Guy Newey, Hong Kong – Thousands of protesters marched through Hong Kong yesterday to commemorate the crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrations in Beijing 20 years ago, including one of the leaders from Tiananmen Square.
Organisers said 5000 people had rallied through the streets of the city to mark the anniversary of the military crackdown, which left hundreds, possibly thousands, dead after weeks of protests in the Chinese capital.
Among the marchers was Xiong Yan, a leading student protester during the 1989 demonstrations who now lives in exile in the United States.
Mr Xiong, who was put on a list of the authorities' 21 "most-wanted" student protesters after the occupation of Tiananmen was broken up, spent two years in jail before being smuggled to the US via Hong Kong.
His presence was unexpected because of China's sensitive attitude to any criticism of the crackdown. Other 1989 campaigners have been refused entry in the past.
"I was very surprised as I have tried many, many times to come," said Mr Xiong of the first time he had set foot on Chinese soil in 17 years.
Lee Cheuk-yan, a pro-democracy legislator in Hong Kong and one of the organisers of the annual march, said it was crucial that the city continued to mark the events of 20 years ago.
"We are the only place on Chinese soil that can commemorate June 4," he said. "Hong Kong has become the conscience of China to remember... the crime of the Tiananmen Square massacre and push the regime to admit their mistakes."
Attendance was sharply up on last year's figures. The annual candlelight vigil on Thursday is expected to attract tens of thousands.
The rally included a small group of mainland Chinese students, who wore T-shirts citing the former leader Mao Zedong: "Whoever suppresses student movements is going to have a bad ending."
"I am very excited to see so many people, as this is forbidden on the mainland," said one of the students, 20, who did not want to be named. "There is hope."
A Danish sculptor who flew to Hong Kong for the protests was refused entry.
Jens Galschiot, whose sculpture commemorating those who died, Pillar Of Shame, is displayed at Hong Kong University, was stopped by officials and sent back to Zurich, an immigration spokesman confirmed.
Albert Ho, the chairman of the Democratic Party and a lawyer, said the Dane was considering legal action.
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