The 35th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown, observed under a blanket of silence and oppressive security, is a stark reminder of the long road ahead in the fight for democracy and human rights. It's heartbreaking to see how the memory of those who bravely stood up for freedom and democracy is being suppressed, not just in mainland China but now in Hong Kong as well. The use of heavy security to stifle remembrance and the symbolic gesture of flameless candles at the US Consulate in Hong Kong underscore the importance of international solidarity in keeping the spirit of Tiananmen alive. This day should serve as a call to action for all who believe in liberal values to support human rights and democratic freedoms, wherever they are threatened.