The Tiananmen Protest- 1989

The protest began on April 14, 1989 by students when people wanted economic change and democratic reform. They were concerned with the social controls that the Communist Party of China had. The protest last 7 weeks and remained peaceful until the People’s Liberation Army sent troops, tanks and set live fires in the streets. The government was arresting the protesters and their supporters even though article 20 says that everyone has the freedom to assemble peacefully. The human rights of these people were denied because they were punished for assembling peacefully. The government began to ban any news on the event to the public. They did not allow any foreign press into the country. They did not want this incident spreading around the world. By the end of the protest, over 100,00 students and workers had gathered in Tiananmen Square. Protests began in other parts of China.

The true number of deaths will probably never be known, and it is possible that thousands of people were killed without leaving evidence behind.

Nicholas Kristof- NY Times
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiananmen_Square_protests_of_1989

http://thewall.civiblog.org/rsf/tian_marchingstudents.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDKVEprC948&feature=related