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

The University of Hong Kong (HKU) has fenced off its "Democracy Wall," a once-prominent bulletin board, as it transitions the space into a digital display. The wall, located outside the main library, was covered on Friday with a notice stating "sustainable campus, smarter billboards" and "coming soon."

HKU informed media outlets that the digitization of bulletin boards is intended to continue publishing information related to student life. The "Democracy Wall" was historically a space for students to post notices, including pro-democracy posters and slogans. However, the university cleared the wall in July 2021, shortly after student union leaders resigned amid criticism for praising a man who had stabbed a police officer before killing himself. A dean of students at the time attributed the action to the university's decision in April of that year to sever ties with its student union, asserting its right to "enforce management rights" over its premises and cease financial support.

Since the implementation of the Beijing-imposed national security law in June 2020, other symbols of student activism at HKU have also disappeared. The Pillar of Shame, a monument commemorating the Tiananmen crackdown, was removed in late 2021 and replaced with a seating area. In January 2022, a section of a bridge outside a university hall, previously painted with a slogan mourning Tiananmen victims, was covered up.

The university also ceased to recognize its student union in 2021, barring it from using campus facilities, effectively dissolving the organization. Hong Kong Free Press has reached out to the university for comment on the "Democracy Wall's" conversion.