Hundreds March On Anniversary Of Tiananmen

Hong Kong Marchers Protesting China's 1989 Crackdown 1989 Also Honor Rescuers Of Quake Victims

(AP)  About 600 people marched silently from a Hong Kong park to government headquarters Sunday to mark the 19th anniversary of China's bloody crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators in Beijing's Tiananmen Square.

But organizers faced the delicate task of not appearing insensitive at a time when China is mourning the deaths of more than 69,000 people from last month's earthquake in Sichuan province.

The marchers carried banners that honored the quake victims, as well as the victims of the 1989 military crackdown, which killed at least hundreds of people.

Some signs read, "Reverse the position on June 4," referring to the date of the Tiananmen crackdown and Beijing's stance that the protests were a "counterrevolutionary riot." Other signs read, "Pay tribute to the brave rescuers," referring to the rescue teams at the earthquake disaster sites.

The marchers, wearing black T-shirts, observed a brief moment of silence for the quake victims before setting off. They did not chant slogans, and organizers said they would donate funds raised during the march to quake relief efforts.

Veteran activist Szeto Wah said corruption and abuse of power played a role in both the earthquake disaster and the Tiananmen crackdown, noting allegations that shoddy construction had caused many buildings in Sichuan to crumble easily.

"Just because there's an earthquake, does it mean we don't need to reverse the position on June 4? Does it mean we don't need democracy? Does it mean we don't need to fight corruption?" Szeto told The Associated Press.

"Continuing to mourn the victims of June 4 doesn't mean we question the disaster in Sichuan," Richard Tsoi, another activist, said.

China had been under heavy international scrutiny before the earthquake on May 12. Protesters critical of China's human rights record had repeatedly tried to sabotage the Beijing Olympics torch relay.

Beijing's crackdown on anti-government riots in Tibet in March also provoked criticism.

But the deadly earthquake has shifted attention away from those issues.

[tbweb]

Freedom is a funny thing, once people have a taste of freedom they rarely want to go back and once freedom is tasted and taken away, there is always the possibility freedom will reemerge and blow up in the oppressors face!

[feelfree4u]

Thank you Hong Kong!

[feelfree4u]

tbweb,

You dissappoint.

Can''t you think of any reason to steer this news into an excuse to bomb Iran?

[jd2408]

I cried for them then. Watching the brave student''s stand off in front of the tanks. I feel for them now. Not much more freedom. Slaves to the west for cheap labor to make the rich richer.

[michellem99-2009]

I ''member seeing on TV when it took place in 89. It was awful. They wanted freedom to think and do. Their govt put a stop to it. I was shocked . Now they make our things. Their computer net is watched by their govt. I read about this on BBC site.

[feelfree4u]

Re: "Their computer net is watched by their govt."

Yeah. Google and Microsoft help them with that.

That''s the "free market" for you.

[michellem99-2009]

After 9/11/01. Bush told all planes to land and if they did not he would have ordered the military planes to shot them dowm..Amreican jets. I was appalled and frankly I am sorry That day is when bush became Mr and not pres. in my eye. It can happen in America if we are not careful.
China told the MS and Google how they will do business by the bloody china govt.

[impeach_w]

FeelFree4U
We don''t need an excuse, Isreal already has a reason to bomb Iran and we, as allies have agreed to help them with any trouble they have.

I see no resaon to defend any oppressive government whether it be Iran , China, Burma or Ours