[Special Report] Let's Go! Commemorating June 4th with "The Road of Light and Cover-up" - Anonymous Youth as the Protagonist of Projections (Audio/Video)
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"Covering up lies, subverting fear," overseas human rights organization "China Action" launched the "Road of Light and Cover-up" global anti-communist projection movement. Starting on the 37th anniversary of June 4th, with the theme "IT'S MY DUTY," the movement has carried out a series of projections at Chinese embassies and consulates in 5 cities. "China Action" emphasizes that the commemoration of June 4th should not only be about sadness but also include "the courage to move forward." The "Road of Light and Cover-up" is not just commemorating June 4th, but also awakening people's attention to public spirit.
#Reported by Cheng Kuan-jen#
The 1989 Democracy Movement: "Ordinary People" Played a Key Role
At 11 PM Eastern Time on June 4th, the front exterior wall of the Chinese Consulate General in New York was once again illuminated by a beam of projected light. The screen sequentially displayed three young people looking back while riding bicycles, each saying: "Let's go, we are the people," "Let's go, I've taken off my long robe," and "Let's go, it's my turn to tell you the truth." The final projection showed the logo of "The Road of Light and Cover-up."
Projection design for the New York premiere of the June 4th "Road of Light and Cover-up." (Provided by China Action)
On the occasion of the 37th anniversary of the June 4th incident in China, "China Action" launched a new wave of anti-communist projection actions starting June 4th. These have currently been implemented on the exterior walls of Chinese embassies and consulates in New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco in the United States, as well as in Sydney, Australia, and Munich, Germany.
"China Action" stated that for decades, the commemoration of June 4th has often revolved around memory and mourning. This "Road of Light and Cover-up" movement aims to highlight the key role played by "ordinary people" back then. In 1989, it wasn't just students who took to the streets, but also workers, citizens, and many ordinary people whose names were not recorded. However, today, ordinary people are still deprived of the opportunity to speak. Therefore, this series of projections did not choose candles, monuments, or historical photos. Instead, it features ordinary young people riding on the streets again, saying simple words to people today.
"Because it's my duty!"
A single sentence from a 1989 youth embodies public spirit.
Su Yu-tong, spokesperson for "China Action," pointed out that the prototype of the young people in the projection comes from a video record from 1989. At that time, foreign media interviewed young people participating in the protests in Beijing, asking them why they were there. The young person replied in English, "Because it's my duty." Therefore, in the first three projection images, these three young people represent ordinary people of different identities: young people striving to find a way out, those hoping to regain public expression, and those seeking a response and justice. These identities do not belong to a specific group but to everyone who feels powerless in reality.
Su Yu-tong said that the reason for choosing "IT'S MY DUTY" as the theme for the projection is that this sentence is the core essence of "public spirit" and one of the most important legacies left to the world by the 1989 Democracy Movement and the June 4th Movement. Back then, people began to care about what kind of society it would become; this is "public spirit."
Su Yu-tong: "(Original sound) Public spirit is when everyone sees themselves as part of society, is willing to speak out when they see injustice, is willing to pay attention when public interest is harmed, and is willing to stand up and express their stance when others' rights are violated. These all belong to public spirit. The most dangerous state for a society is not when people have different opinions, but when more and more people believe that public affairs have nothing to do with them. Because when everyone only cares about their own lives, the public space will continuously shrink, and power will lose its oversight. This is currently the situation in China."
June 4th commemoration should not remain in sadness but also include the courage to move forward.
She emphasized that the young person's words "It's my duty" in front of the camera in 1989 resonate with us 37 years later precisely because they embody a sense of responsibility that transcends personal interests, and "responsibility" is the core of public spirit. Therefore, recreating this young person riding a bicycle, saying to everyone, "Let's go, we are the people," and "Let's go, it's my turn to tell you the truth," is also to emphasize that commemoration should not be confined to sadness but should also include the courage to move forward. In today's China, many people face unemployment or life pressures, shrinking space for expression, and uncertainty about the future. In such an environment, public spirit becomes even more precious.
Su Yu-tong: "(Original sound) Therefore, for us, 'The Road of Light and Cover-up' is not just commemorating June 4th; it is also a reminder about public spirit. When more and more people start thinking, 'What does this have to do with me?' and further consider, 'What responsibility am I willing to bear for this?', public spirit begins to form, and it will also lock the continuously spreading and expanding power of the Chinese Communist Party into a cage."
June 4th "Road of Light and Cover-up" projection at the Los Angeles Chinese Consulate: "Let's go, we break through the algorithm." (Provided by China Action)
June 4th "Road of Light and Cover-up" projection at the Sydney Chinese Consulate: "Let's go, take back our hard-earned money." (Provided by China Action)
June 4th "Road of Light and Cover-up" projection at the Munich Chinese Consulate: "Come on, I will no longer obey orders." (Provided by China Action)
Make good use of modern technology to convey truth, awaken and act.
Qi Hong, a "Chongqing Warrior" living in the UK, said that everything might start with the pursuit of truth, leading to awakening. Because 37 years have passed, the Chinese government has not only not apologized for the June 4th incident but has also made every effort to erase people's memories. While the government uses modern technology to strictly monitor its citizens, the people can also use modern technology to convey the truth.
Qi Hong: "(Original sound) Since they can monitor us, we can also use modern technology to spread the truth. As much as possible, it's better to have less harm. Otherwise, anything you do in China will be immediately silenced, and the outside world will have no idea about it. We can try to use modern methods to spread the truth back to them, to spread this real history."
Su Yu-tong pointed out that China has 267 embassies and representative offices overseas. They are symbols of the CCP regime abroad and need to be covered by light. However, what is more important is not how many Chinese embassies and consulates are covered or how many actions are completed, but that each projection can convey a message to the outside world: "Inside and outside the high walls, there are still many people who care about freedom, dignity, fairness, and the future; there are still many people willing to connect and support each other; and there are still people who believe that change does not come from a single hero, but from the awakening and actions of countless ordinary people."
She emphasized that if the "White Paper Movement" made many people realize, "We are not alone," then they hope "The Road of Light and Cover-up" can further tell people, "No matter where you are, that light is still there."
Further Reading: Cheng Li-wen happily "dedicates Taiwan" to the CCP with a projection in New York; KMT Central Standing Committee member also smiles.
Source Link: https://www.rti.org.tw/news?uid=3&pid=214653
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