Keep the Memory of Tiananmen Alive
June 3-4, 2009: 20th Anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Crackdown
Background Information
 © 1989 Hei Han Khiang |
The events in Tiananmen Square on June 3-4, 1989, were the culmination of country-wide protests in China that began in April of that year. After the death of senior Communist party official Hu Yaobang, who was known for his support of political and economic reform in China, groups of students began gathering in Beijing in mourning.
As the students demanded an end to official corruption and called for political and economic reform, millions joined their gatherings in support. Supporters included people from all walks of life, including workers and trade unionists. Peaceful demonstrations were organized in Beijing and throughout China. By May 1989, government employees, police officers, and members of the armed forces had joined the peaceful demonstrations as well. Chinese authorities failed to convince the demonstrators to disperse and declared martial law on May 20.
 © 1989 Hei Han Khiang |
On the night of June 3, 1989, heavily armed troops and hundreds of armored vehicles moved into Beijing to "clear" the pro-democracy demonstrators. Troops began firing randomly into the crowd, killing student protestors as well as children and elderly onlookers. As tanks rolled through the crowd, some demonstrators could not escape and were crushed. Others were shot by soldiers in the days that followed after the military had already gained control of the city and the protestors no longer posed any kind of threat.
The crackdown on students and other peaceful protestors resulted in thousands wounded, hundreds dead, and tens of thousands more detained in the aftermath throughout China. Many of those who were detained suffered torture or other ill-treatment during and after the military crackdown, and some continued to be tortured while imprisoned. Others were executed a few days after being sentenced to death for their involvement in the demonstrations. Still others were convicted in unfair trials and sentenced to long terms of imprisonment.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the events at Tiananmen Square. The Dui Hua Foundation estimates that 50 people are still imprisoned for sentences related to the 1989 protests. The Chinese authorities have not answered public calls for an investigation into the human rights abuses that took place, and they continue to suppress public debate over Tiananmen.
