In Pictures: Activists stopped near ex-vigil site amid large police deployment on Tiananmen crackdown anniversary

Activists have shown up in Causeway Bay, defying a heavy police deployment at and around the former site of Hong Kong’s commemorative Tiananmen crackdown vigils. Hong Kong police set up a roadblock in Causeway Bay on June 4, 2026, the 37th anniversary of the 1989 crackdown in Beijing. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. Large numbers of uniformed and plainclothes officers were seen in Victoria Park – where the Tiananmen vigils were held for decades – and around Causeway Bay on Thursday, the 37th anniversary of the 1989 crackdown. Hong Kong police set up a roadblock in Causeway Bay on June 4, 2026, the 37th anniversary of the 1989 crackdown in Beijing. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. A “Sabertooth” police armoured vehicle was spotted in the afternoon near Times Square, as officers set up a roadblock at the intersection of East Point Road and Great George Road. Exits from Causeway Bay MTR Station were also guarded by officers. Explainer: What to know about Hong Kong’s past Tiananmen commemorations and nat. security trial of vigil leaders The Tiananmen crackdown occurred on June 4, 1989, ending months of student-led demonstrations in China. It is estimated that hundreds, perhaps thousands, died when the People’s Liberation Army cracked down on protesters in Beijing. Hong Kong activist Lui Yuk-lin walks and chants a Buddhist mantra in Causeway Bay on June 4, 2026. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. At around 5pm, activist Lui Yuk-lin walked from Great George Street in Causeway Bay towards Victoria Park. She pressed her hands, wrapped in a black cloth, in a prayer gesture, while chanting the Great Compassion Mantra. Hong Kong activist Lui Yuk-lin walks and chants a Buddhist mantra in Causeway Bay on June 4, 2026. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. Bowing every few steps, Lui walked through the park towards Tin Hau and returned to Causeway Bay. The activist said she bowed 37 times in the 40-minute walk. Hong Kong activist Lui Yuk-lin walks and chants a Buddhist mantra in Causeway Bay on June 4, 2026. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. Some police officers followed the activist and occasionally held a cordon around her as she walked and chanted. Lui told reporters that she would be leaving Causeway Bay at 8pm to comply with a police warning. “I’m leaving, I’m leaving,” she said, before police officers swarmed her and escorted her to the MTR station. Another woman was seen gesturing “six” and “four” with her hands at around 6pm on Great George Street in Causeway Bay, The Collective reported . Police officers at the scene warned her that her behaviour could be “seditious”. They pressed her hands down and took her away in a police vehicle. At around 6.30pm, Chan Po-ying, chairperson of the now-defunct League of Social Democrats, a pro-democracy party, appeared in Causeway Bay with a yellow paper flower. Activist Chan Po-ying appears in Causeway Bay with a yellow paper flower on June 4, 2026. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. Police at the scene warned Chan that her behaviour might constitute “disorder in public places” and told her to put the flower in her bag. Activist Chan Po-ying appears in Causeway Bay with a yellow paper flower on June 4, 2026. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. Officers then took her away in a police vehicle. A man was surrounded by police officers on Paterson Street after being spotted holding a candle at around 7pm. A man holding a candle is surrounded by police in Causeway Bay on June 4, 2026. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. While being searched, he asked whether he was being arrested and said that he did not have to comply with their orders if he was not under arrest. “I know my rights,” he said. After he asked again whether he was under arrest, an officer said, “Disorderly conduct,” and they escorted him into a police van. A young man in a black T-shirt was intercepted by police after he put on a blindfold and used a red marker pen to write on his arm outside the Sogo department store at around 7.15pm. A young man in a black T-shirt puts on a blindfold and writes on his arm with a red marker pen on June 4, 2026. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. Despite being surrounded by police, he continued the act until he was ordered to stop. Moments later, he was taken into a police vehicle. A young man in a black T-shirt is intercepted by police and pulls out what appears to be China’s constitution on June 4, 2026. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. Before he got into the van, he pulled out a small red book that appeared to be China’s constitution. A young man in a black T-shirt is intercepted by police on June 4, 2026. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. The same man was spotted in Causeway Bay on the past two Tiananmen crackdown anniversaries and was taken away by police on both occasions. In 2025, he appeared at Victoria Park , wearing a T-shirt saying, “Core Values of Socialism.” In 2024, he showed up at the patriotic food carnival wearing a T-shirt bearing the iconic picture of revolutionary leader Che Guevara. He was escorted awa