親愛的各位朋友，各位民主同道：
大家好。我是來自香港的霍嘉誌，一名因為參與2019年香港民主運動，而被中共政權(及香港政府) 通緝的香港人。今天，在這個特殊的日子——六四事件36週年紀念的線上座談會上，我很榮幸能以一個香港人的身份，與大家共同悼念，並分享我們的感受與信念。
每年的六月四日，對香港人來說，從來就不只是一個歷史日期。它提醒著我們，在我們的土地上，曾經有一場宏大的民主運動，一群年輕人為了自由和民主，付出了生命的代價。這種紀念，不僅是為了逝去的生命，更是為了守護那份對普世價值的堅持。這份堅持，在香港，我們用行動一次又一次地證明了它的力量。
在2019年，香港經歷了前所未有的考驗。我們曾站在抗爭前線，為捍衛我們的自由、我們的自治權利而奮鬥。我們深知，面對專制，對民主自由的渴望是人心所向，是無法被磨滅的。我們也深切體會到，自由的道路，從來都不是坐享其成，更不是一蹴而就的。最近幾年, 香港和中國大陸經濟變差, 我們再一次聽到人民的聲音, 聽到不少內地人希望推翻習近平的聲音。我們知道, 只是推倒一位領袖是沒有用的, 而是獨裁的政黨被推翻才有用。
三十六年前，中國大陸的學生和市民，為了民主自由站了出來；三十六年後，香港人為了捍衛所剩無幾的自由，也奮不顧身。這兩段歷史，儘管時空不同，但其核心精神一脈相承：那就是對自由的渴望，以及人民不甘被奴役的抗爭意志。
我們選擇紀念六四，是因為紀念本身就是一種力量。它讓我們不忘歷史的教訓，不忘那些為民主付出的人們。它更是對專制政權的一種無聲的控訴，告訴他們：無論如何打壓，歷史的真相永遠無法被抹去，自由的種子永遠會在人民心中生根發芽。
近年來, 很多人問我這問題: “我們是否該寄望於國際社會，寄望於某個民主大國，甚至某位總統來「拯救」我們? ” 我的回答是，國際社會的關注與支持至關重要，我們感謝所有聲援我們的朋友。但我們必須清醒地認識到並強調，決定我們命運的，終究是我們自己。改變，永遠都源於人民的覺醒與參與。沒有人民的自發抗爭，沒有我們每一個個體對自由的執著追求與實際行動，任何外力的支持都只是錦上添花，而無法成為根本的推動力。
正如亞洲這邊, 我們相信要保護台灣的人民免受中共攻擊。在歐洲, 我們必須盡力保護烏克蘭的人民, 免受俄羅斯的侵略。因為我們相信, 在世界上, 所有希望自由的人都是我們重要的朋友, 更是我們的兄弟姊妹。這是對自由價值的保護, 這樣的價值絕不是商人政客口中的經濟利益可以取代的。
儘管身處逆境，但我們對民主自由的信念從未動搖。我們深信，中國大陸終有一天會擺脫專制，走向真正的民主與自由。這條路或許漫長，或許充滿艱辛，但只要我們每一個人都參與其中，堅守信念，互相支持，那改變的希望就永遠存在。
最後，我想說，今天的紀念，不僅是回望過去，更是展望未來。讓我們共同努力，為一個真正自由、民主的香港，也為一個真正自由、民主的中國，繼續奮鬥下去。
謝謝大家。
英文版
Commemorating June Fourth: A Voice for Democratic Hong Kong and a Free China
Dear friends, fellow advocates for democracy,
Hello everyone. I am Johnny, Fok Ka Chi from Hong Kong, a Hongkonger wanted by the CCP regime (and the HK government) for my participation in the 2019 Hong Kong democratic movement. Today, on this special occasion – the 36th anniversary of the June Fourth Incident – I am honored to join you in this online forum, to commemorate and to share our feelings as Hongkongers.
For Hongkongers, June 4th has never just been a historical date. It reminds us that on our land, a grand democratic movement once unfolded, where a group of young people paid the ultimate price for freedom and democracy. This commemoration is not merely for the lives lost, but for safeguarding our universal values. In Hong Kong, we have demonstrated the power of this through our actions.
In 2019, Hong Kong faced unprecedented trials. We stood on the front lines of the protests, fighting to defend our freedom and our autonomy. We deeply understand that in the face of autocracy, the yearning for democracy and freedom is deeply inside people’s hearts and cannot be erased. We have also deeply experienced that the path to freedom is never simply handed to us, nor is it achieved overnight. In recent years, as the economies of both Hong Kong and mainland China have worsened, we have once again heard the voices of the people, hearing many mainlanders hoping to overthrow Xi Jinping. We know that merely taking down one leader is not enough; it is the overthrow of the dictator party(CCP) that truly matters.
Thirty-six years ago, students and citizens in mainland China rose up for democracy and freedom; thirty-six years later, Hongkongers bravely fight to defend their freedoms. Although these two historical periods differ in time and space, their core spirit is consistent: it is the yearning for freedom and the people’s will to resist dictator.
We choose to commemorate June Fourth because commemoration itself is a force. It reminds us not to forget the lessons of history, and not to forget those who sacrificed for democracy. It is also a silent accusation against the dictator, telling them: no matter how much they suppress, the truth of history can never be erased, and the seeds of freedom will forever take root and to be in the hearts of the people.
In recent years, many have asked me a question: “whether we should place our hopes on the international community, on a certain democratic superpower, or even on a particular president to “save” us?” Yes, international attention and support are crucial, and we are grateful to all our friends who stand with us. However, we must clearly recognize that ultimately, it is we who determine our own destiny. Changes are always from the awakening and participation of the people. Without the people’s resistance, without the persistent pursuit of freedom by each and every one of us, any external support is merely icing on the cake and cannot be the fundamental driving force.
Just as in Asia, we believe in protecting the people of Taiwan from CCP aggression. In Europe, we must do our best to protect the people of Ukraine from Russian invasion. This is because we believe that all people in the world who aspire to freedom are our important friends, and indeed, our brothers and sisters. This is about the protection of the value of freedom, a value that can never be replaced by the economic interests spoken of by some politicians.
We deeply believe that mainland China will one day break free from dictatorship and move towards true democracy and freedom. This path may be long, and it may be full of hardships, but as long as each of us participates, holds firm to our belief, and supports one another, the hope for change will always exist.
Finally, I want to say that today’s commemoration is not just about looking back at the past, but also about looking forward to the future. Let us work together and continue to strive for a truly free and democratic Hong Kong, and for a truly free and democratic China.
Thank you everyone.
Johnny Fok
