Tiananmen Anniversary: Hong Kong police arrests pro-democracy activist Chow Hang Tung

Chow serves as the vice chairwoman of the Hong Kong Alliance.

The body organizes annual vigils for victims of Beijing's deadly crackdown on democracy protesters.

She has been arrested for promoting unauthorised assembly, reports BBC.
Speaking to the BBC ahead of her arrest, Chow, who is also a lawyer and a human rights activist, said she was prepared for the inevitable.

"I am prepared to be arrested. This is how Hong Kong is now. If you fight for democracy under an authoritarian regime, being arrested is unavoidable. Let it come. I am willing to pay the price for fighting for democracy," she said.

The arrest was made at a time when Hong Kong banned the vigil for the second year running, citing coronavirus restrictions.

Police have closed off Victoria Park, where citizens usually gather each year to mark the anniversary. Thousands of officers have been placed on standby to stop any attempt to hold the event, reports BBC.

Hong Kong and Macau remains two places in China where people can commemorate the deadly 1989 crackdown on pro-democracy protesters.

But this year, authorities in Macau also banned the vigil for the second year in a row, saying it would violate local criminal laws, reports BBC.