At Tian An Men Vigil, Apathy Quells Passion

Six years after Chinese troops killed hundreds of pro-democracy demonstrators in Tian An Men Square, Mimi Leung joined a candlelight vigil at a Hong Kong park.

It was the same place that she and other protesters gathered the day after the June 4, 1989, crackdown in Beijing. Every year, thousands have returned to Victoria Park to remember.

But Sunday’s rally was different.

“I don’t feel the united aim anymore,” Leung said.

With only two years remaining before the British colony returns to Chinese rule, the passions that were kindled among its 6 million residents in 1989 have been dampened by apathy and resignation.

Crowd estimates for the first anniversary were as high as 150,000 people. This year, organizers said 30,000 people attended; police said 16,000.

A few blocks from the park, video shop worker Susan Fong, 29, was unaware of the anniversary rally. “It’s been so many years ago. I don’t have any feelings anymore,” Fong said. “No matter what we do, we can’t change anything.”