University of Hong Kong to convert ‘Democracy Wall’ into digital display

The University of Hong Kong (HKU) has fenced off a “Democracy Wall” bulletin board that has been left largely empty for years as it converts it into a digital display.

The “Democracy Wall” at the University of Hong Kong. Photo: CampusTV HKUSU.

The wall, located outside the main library, was boarded up on Friday, media outlets reported. A notice was placed on the boards reading “sustainable campus, smarter billboards” and “coming soon.”
In response to HKFP, HKU said in an email that it is “progressively digitalising notice boards in common areas on campus.”

“This exercise is aimed at promoting environmental sustainability by reducing paper waste, maximising limited campus space through rotating displays, and enhancing operational efficiency,” added.

“The digital notice boards will continue to be dedicated to student affairs and campus life updates.”

Once a space where students put up notices, including pro-democracy posters and slogans, the “Democracy Wall” was stripped bare by the university in July 2021.

The boarded up “Democracy Wall” at the University of Hong Kong. Photo: hkusenateug_cln, via Instagram.

The move came days after student union leaders stepped down following fierce criticism from the Security Bureau over comments they made praising the “sacrifice” of a man who killed himself after stabbing a police officer.

A dean of students said at the time that the operation was the result of the university’s decision earlier that year in April to sever ties with its student union, saying it would “enforce management rights” over its premises and cut all financial support.

Other landmarks of student activism have also disappeared over the years since the Beijing-imposed national security law was enacted in June 2020.

The Pillar of Shame, a Tiananmen crackdown monument, was removed in late 2021 and has since been replaced by a seating area.

Outside a university hall, a section of a bridge painted with a slogan mourning victims of the Tiananmen crackdown was covered in January 2022.

The university no longer has a student union, after it stopped recognising the union in 2021 and barred it from using campus facilities.