Ahead of the seventh anniversary of Hong Kong’s July 21 Yuen Long Incident in 2019, the Hong Kong advocacy group “Never Forget the Original Aspiration” held a commemorative rally in Toronto, Canada, on July 18 under the theme “Seventh Anniversary of July 21 — ‘Ting’ for the Facts, ‘Kwai’ as Witnesses.”
Ting stands for Lam Cheuk-ting (林卓廷), the former Hong Kong legislator who went to Yuen Long on the night of the July 21, 2019 attack after receiving calls for help and later became one of those convicted in relation to the incident. Kwai honors Gwyneth Ho Kwai-lam (何桂藍), the former journalist and pro-democracy activist who was present at Yuen Long, livestreamed the attack, and is viewed by supporters as an eyewitness who documented the events.
Tuesday’s event attracted dozens of members of the Hong Kong community and supporters.
Participants observed a moment of silence, delivered speeches, and played audio recordings to commemorate the victims of the incident. They also called on the international community to continue paying attention to the state of human rights, the rule of law, and freedoms in Hong Kong.
What happened on July 21, 2019?
The organizers recalled that on the evening of July 21, 2019, a group of men dressed in white attacked members of the public, journalists, and passers-by inside and around the Yuen Long MTR Station in Hong Kong, injuring many people.
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During the incident, numerous residents repeatedly called the police for assistance, but officers reportedly arrived about 39 minutes later. The police response and handling of the incident subsequently became the subject of widespread public controversy. According to the organizers, for many Hong Kong people, the July 21 Incident was not merely a violent attack but also a pivotal moment that severely undermined the rule of law, justice, and public trust in Hong Kong.
The event’s theme—”‘Ting’ for the Facts, ‘Kwai’ as Witnesses”—paid tribute respectively to former Hong Kong Legislative Council member Lam Cheuk-ting and activist Gwyneth Ho Kwai-lam. The organizers said that Lam rushed to Yuen Long after receiving requests for help from residents in an effort to assist those trapped at the scene and understand the situation, but was later convicted in a case related to the July 21 Incident.
They also noted that Ho, who transitioned from journalism into public affairs, was subsequently deprived of her freedom in a political case. According to the organizers, the two have become symbolic witnesses to Hong Kong’s political transformation in recent years and serve as a reminder of those who have paid a heavy price for speaking out.
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Guest speakers at the rally
At the rally, several guest speakers shared their views on the July 21 Incident and the current situation in Hong Kong. They included Fung Yuk-lan, National Convener of the Coalition for Canada’s Foreign Influence Transparency and Accountability Act, and former Hong Kong Legislative Council member Fernando Cheung Chiu-hung.
Several Hong Kong advocates based in Canada and the United Kingdom also expressed their support through pre-recorded audio messages, including online radio host Giggs (Jess), Vancouver Hong Kong community representative Calvin, former Hong Kong Prince Edward District Councillor Lam Siu-shan, who is now based in the UK, and “Sister Jane” (Jane), who now lives in Vancouver after being placed on Hong Kong police’s wanted list with a bounty for her role in organizing the Hong Kong Parliament initiative.
The organizers said that, seven years after the July 21 Incident, many questions remain regarding the police deployment on the day, the law enforcement arrangements, and the political responsibility that relevant government officials should bear. They argued that these issues continue to warrant scrutiny by both history and society. According to the organizers, the passage of time has not diminished the pain felt by Hong Kong people; instead, it has underscored the importance of preserving the historical memory of the event.
The rally concluded with all participants observing a moment of silence in memory of the victims of the July 21 Incident, as well as everyone who has lost their freedom in the pursuit of freedom, democracy, and justice. The organizers emphasized that the purpose of holding the commemorative gathering was not to perpetuate hatred, but rather to preserve historical memory, remind society to cherish the truth and uphold justice, and maintain faith that history will ultimately reveal the truth.
Participants concluded the event by jointly expressing the hope that “the truth will not be forgotten, history will not be rewritten, and justice will one day prevail.”
