Baptist University puts up barriers hiding memorial messages and public demands for Tai Po fire

A message board run by the students' union at Hong Kong Baptist University with condolences for victims of the fatal Tai Po fire has been enclosed by white boards and red plastic barriers, covering the content from public view.

TYR reporters first saw the message being covered up at 9:37pm on Tuesday by white boards, but it is unclear when the message was first posted.

The message, posted on the university’s “democracy wall,” at Li Promenade, read: “Deep condolences to the deceased from the fire at Wang Fuk Court. We are Hongkongers. We urge the government to address public concerns. Respond to the public’s requests. Justice must be served.”

A Threads user (@ human_being_0w0) who posted the slogan before it was covered told TYR that they saw the display on Tuesday afternoon. The online post has gained more than 2,700 likes and has been shared by nearly 400 users. 

Red plastic hoardings around the board were labelled “temporary material storage zone” and “work in progress”. These barriers were extended to the nearby walls with no related messages. 

The HKBU Students’ Union has replied to TYR and said they “deeply regret the university’s successive use of Student Affairs Office display boards and construction hoardings to cover the Union’s notice board and the democracy wall, particularly as it is unnecessary and detrimental to students’ ability to express their views on the democracy wall.”

The union added they consider the facilities in the area, including the notice board, have recently been observed to be intact and do not appear to require maintenance.

HKBU’s Estates Office has not yet responded to The Young Reporter’s enquiry regarding the arrangement.