Hundreds mourn fallen protester, six months on

Hundreds mourn fallen protester, six months on

A long queue formed as people patiently waited to place flowers at the spot where Leung fell. Photo: RTHK

Large crowds of people lined up in Admiralty to pay their respects to a man who fell to his death six months ago – in what mourners say marked the first death related to the anti-extradition movement.



Marco Leung died on June 15 after hanging banners bearing slogans against the now-withdrawn extradition bill, shortly after the Chief Executive, Carrie Lam, had announced that the legislation was being suspended.



He had fallen from a high platform, missing a huge inflated cushion set up on the ground by firefighters.



People came with candles and flowers to the spot where he died, some holding placards echoing some of Leung’s final words, like “We are not rioters.”



Teenager Keith was among the crowd that had gathered outside the Pacific Place mall shortly after Leung’s death, and was back again six months later to pay tribute to a man he considers a hero.



He said the event marked a watershed moment for many protesters, saying “I think his death kind of enlightened us to try to think more and act more for this society.”



Another mourner, Ms Lee, said “We will fight for Hong Kong on behalf of him.”



One by one, they lined up to offer their flowers, and prayers to the deceased. Some folded paper cranes in his memory, while others sang the hymn 'Sing Hallelujah to the Lord'.



Police kept a close watch on Sunday's gathering from across the street. But despite the large number of mourners, it remained peaceful and orderly, with people staying on the sidewalk rather than spilling out onto the road.