Mayer Brown abandons work on removal of Hong Kong statue after criticism

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REUTERS / Lam Yik / File Photo

Mayer Brown said on Friday he had stepped down from helping a Hong Kong university remove a statue honoring protesters killed in Tiananmen Square after the company’s role sparked condemnation from groups of defense of human rights and American politicians.

The 8-meter-high copper sculpture has been on display at the University of Hong Kong for more than two decades. It features dozens of torn and twisted bodies symbolizing those killed in China’s Tiananmen Square crackdown on pro-democracy protests in 1989.

Mayer Brown, who previously called the matter a “real estate issue,” said on Friday that she “would not be representing her long-time client (the university) in this matter. We have no further comment.” .

The law firm, one of the largest in the United States, found itself caught between the outrage of the international public and the sensitivity of doing business in China.

The University of Hong Kong did not immediately respond to the request for comment.

The sculpture known as the “Pillar of Shame” is one of the few remaining public symbols from the Tiananmen Square episode, which is a taboo subject in mainland China and cannot be commemorated publicly there.

Sculptor Jens Galschiot has loaned the statue in perpetuity to a Hong Kong civil society group that disbanded last month with some members accused of national security offenses. On behalf of the university, the law firm asked the group in a letter to remove the sculpture by Wednesday, which did not happen.

Mayer Brown drew Galschiot’s ire and drew criticism from a number of activists and human rights organizations, as well as US Senators Lindsey Graham and Ted Cruz. A group of 28 non-governmental organizations called on Mayer Brown to end its relationship with the university in an open letter, saying the company’s request “shows Mayer Brown violated its stated mission to make a positive difference in the lives of Hong Kong citizens. “

Responding to criticism, the law firm said earlier in the week: “Our legal advice is not intended to be commentary on current or historical events.”

Mayer Brown can trace his presence in Hong Kong to the 19th century through one of its historic companies, Johnson Stokes & Master, which was founded in Hong Kong in 1863 and merged with Mayer Brown in 2008.

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