AIDOH - The Pillar Of Shame in Hong Kong

Press Release
29th of may 1997

Updated: 20-06-00

Regional Council Sold like a Sack of Rice Narrow Majority Bans Pillar of Shame

Today Hong Kong has witnessed another shameful example of self censorship. With the votes 18 to 15 the Regional Council has turned down a permission to display the Pillar of Shame in areas under their jurisdiction. According to the very nature of colonialism, the rulers deal at their discretion with territories without caring about the interests and wishes of the inhabitants, as were they just selling a sack of rice. It is depressing that the abolition of colonialism in Hong Kong follows the very principles of colonialism. It would be natural that decolonisation bring an extension of the basic rights of the citizens. With the ban on the Pillar of Shame the majority of the Regional Council has bartered away the freedom of expression, giving way to the invisible but highly perceptible pressure from the old men's regime in Beijing. The attitude of the Regional Council forms a glaring contrast to the courageous conduct of the villagers in the New Territories who one hundred years ago were killed in battles against British soldiers. They did not accept to be sold like a sack of rice, but resisted tooth and nail the foreign intrusion.

Jens Galschiot

More information is available by Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China 9/F Good Hope Building - 618 Nathan Road - Kowloon - Hong Kong Contact person: Mr Albert Ho - Tel. (852) 2522 7721 - Fax (852) 2868 2797

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Relevant documents

PILLAR OF SHAME - A Happening of Remembrance

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	1997: The Pillar of Shame in Hong Kong

Additional Information:

Categories:	1997: The Pillar of Shame in Hong Kong \| Happenings and Art Installations \| 1996-?: The Pillar of Shame \| Activities related to China
Themes:	Criticism of governments \| Free speech \| Massacres \| Schools involved
Sculptures:	Pillar of Shame
Type:	Press releases
Dates:	1997 \| 4th June 1997
Locations:	Tiananmen Square, Beijing, China \| Baptist University, Hong Kong, China \| Chinese University, Hong Kong, China \| Haking Wong podium at the Hong Kong University, Hong Kong, China \| Kai Tak Airport, Hong Kong, China \| Lingnan College, Hong Kong, China \| Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China \| University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China \| Victoria Park, Hong Kong, China
Co-operators and Helpers:	Anne Lund \| Art critics association, Mr Lau Kin Wai \| Blue Water, forwarding agent \| Cheung Man-kwong, a core member of the Hong Kong Democracy Movement \| Chui Way-hang, student leader \| Emely Lau, Urban Council \| Erling Hoh \| Georg Zoega \| Hong Kong Christian Institute \| Ip Kwok-chung, councillor \| Jun Feng \| Lasse Markus \| Lene Jelling \| Linda Wong Shui Hung, Studentsâ€™ union, HK University \| Martin Lee, MP Hong Kong \| Niller Madsen \| Patrick Wong Chun Sing, Studentsâ€™ union, HK University \| Robert Etches \| Stanley Wing-Fai Ng \| Studentsâ€™ union, Hong Kong University
Partners:	Albert Ho \| Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Democracy in China \| Ocean Fung \| Szeto Wah
Related Persons and Entities:	Chinese Government \| Chris Patten, last British governor of Hong Kong \| HK police \| Hong Kong Arts Centre, Oscar Ho \| Hong Kong University Social Science Institute \| M+R (Metzger + Richner), forwarding agent \| Recreation Committee in Hong Kong \| Regional Council (in the New Territories) \| SAR government \| Tung Chee-hwa, HK head of government after 1st July 1997 \| Urban Council Hong Kong \| Urban Council, Select Committee \| Xinhua (New China News Agency)
Sponsors:	BUPL \| DeTrey Dentsply AG, Schweiz \| Fredsfonden \| Funch Fonden \| Gelsted/Kirk/Scherfig fonden \| Kultursekretariatet i Odense Kommune \| Lysgaard Fonden \| Socialpædagogernes Landsforbund / National Federation of Social Educators \| Socialpædagogernes Landsforbund i Vejle \| Vedstaarup Lerfabrik A/S

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