On Sunday, Seattle’s Chinese Democracy and Human Rights Alliance honored the 34th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre with an observance on the University of Washington campus.
To show solidarity towards the past and current human rights abuses taking place in China and to honor those who fought thirty-four years ago for fundamental human rights, attendees gathered to light candles.
As a response to China’s communist government and a lack of political freedoms, ie. freedom of speech & freedom of press, a series of peaceful, student-led protests began in the spring of 1989. After the protests had grown in support for over seven weeks, the Chinese government sent troops to extinguish the movement happening in Tiananmen Square. When the troops arrived the crowd ran to disperse as bullets rained down. It is unknown how many people died in the Tiananmen Square Massacre, the Chinese government had estimated 200 deaths, but others have reported a possible 10,000. Regardless, if one or 10,000 were killed, we must never forget.
The event opened with a moment of silence, followed with an address by Jin Xiuhong, a witness to the violent Tiananmen Square Massacre. Giving listeners a glimpse into her past memories, Xiuhong shared her experience. She had closely witnessed the student-led protesters driven by intense hunger for freedom of speech and democracy.
