#Censorship #FreedomOfPublication
HK authorities refuse to disclose book titles banned in public libraries, citing National Security as concerns

Following China's imposition of the National Security Law in Hong Kong in July 2020, many book titles have subsequently been banned and taken off-the-shelf in public libraries.

These books are usually related to the June 4th Massacre in Beijing, the Umbrella Movement and the anti-extradition movement in Hong Kong. Even those written by pro-democracy authors were censored and restricted.

In response to a lawmaker's request for the list of book titles being removed off-the-shelf, the Hong Kong Leisure Cultural Services Department (#LCSD) refused to provide the list, saying that the list could be "maliciously used to criticise library collection." LCSD added that this is not beneficial to national security.

Based on media reports, at least 106 book titles have been taken off the shelf in the year after the National Security Law was imposed.

Among these book titles, 13 publications by the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China have been banned and "delisted" from the website of public libraries.

A staff member of a public library told reporters that these book titles are no longer available because they "could have violated the National Security Law."

Source: InMediaHK; #Apr6
https://bit.ly/3v29u2t

#Oppression #June4
Hong Kong authorities "blocked" venue for once-annual candlelight vigil for Tiananmen massacre victims for a third year running

On May 24, a local daily, Ming Pao reported that the Leisure and Cultural Service Department (#LCSD), which administers the Victoria Park soccer pitches where the rally used to take place, has suspended any bookings on June 4, the 33rd anniversary of the #TiananmenMassacre, although bookings are available on other days in the same month.

Just 3 days afterwards, on May 27, the football pitches at Victoria Park were seen fully booked on June 4 from as early as 7am in the morning. No bookings, however, were seen for the rest of June. The same daily found. 

The vigil has been banned -- ostensibly for public health reasons -- for the past two years and the leaders of its organizing group, the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, arrested for colluding with foreign powers under a national security law imposed by Beijing from July 1, 2020.

Sources:
Ming Pao; #May24

https://bit.ly/3avt8NF

Ming Pao; #May27

https://bit.ly/3M00GjM

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Related news
Hong Kong Catholic group will not hold Tiananmen crackdown masses citing fears over national security law
https://publielectoral.lat/guardiansofhongkong/32764
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#FirstHand #June3
Hongkongers Insist on Remembering #June4th

In the past, #CandleVigil was held annually in Hong Kong on June 4 to commemorate the victims of 1989 #TiananmenMassacre in Beijing.

Starting from 11pm on June 3, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (#LCSD) of the Hong Kong SAR Government ordered to close the football pitches and the lawn area in #VictoriaPark, to "curb unauthorised assembly".

Over 100 police officers patrolled at all the entrances of the Park since 10:30pm. Some areas in the park were blocked by crowd control barriers.

Mr Sung, an artist who wore a black face mask, arrived at Victoria Park at 9:30pm. He sat on the ground with an umbrella and two e-candles, reading "The History of Modern Mime". The police stopped and searched him and asked him his purpose at the venue. He only answered "no comment".

Despite the heavy rain , Mr Sung didn't back down. He held up his umbrella and continued to sit-in until 11pm, the deadline given by the LCSD.

#Remembrance #PoliceState