Anniversary

On June 4, 1989, the People's Republic of China government declared marshal law, and slaughtered hundreds of protestors in Tiananmen Square in Beijing. Students and other pro-democracy intellectuals were protesting for economic and political reform. China still continues to deny the occurrence of this catastrophe.

I traveled to Tiananmen Square seven years ago. I was completely aware of what had taken place in that very location. Yet I did not understand.

As the 20th anniversary arrives, Beijing is nervous and cautious of any activities that may take place. Security has increased significantly around Tiananmen Square, and extreme measures have been taken to monitor suspicious individuals. Some have been forced to leave the city. A University professor, whose son died in the massacre is under house arrest. A soldier who partook in the massacre expressed remorse, and was consequentially detained. The United Nations are again urging the Government to acknowledge the offenses of their past.




This iconic photograph was taken by American photographer Jeff Widener of the associated press. He had followed a student to the 6th floor of the Beijing Hotel for a good vantage point. On the street, half a mile away, he spotted a man running from the tanks. The student said "They are going to kill him." So he waited for the moment. The man then stopped in front of the tank. As the tanks attempted to move around, he continued to stay in front. Jeff, knowing that this could be something special, moved quickly to switch his lens that would increase the focus. As he took the photo, he realized there was something wrong and that the shutter speed was too slow, dreading the possibility of having missed it. The man would then climb onto the tank, try to talk to the soldier inside, and taken away as a result. The following day, the student smuggled Jeff's film to get developed. He received a call from Associated Press, finding out that he had done something extraordinary. The photo went on to headline major newspapers and magazines all over the world. Jeff Widener was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. It was also featured in Life's 100 Photographs that changed the world.

Here is a little something I did to commemorate the event.