Author: Wang Dan Translation: Daisuke Kitai
the 1989 democratization movement, survivors of the June Fourth repression, supporters of student movements both inside and outside China, including those who stayed in the United States because they could not return home, and to all of you who have not forgotten the June Fourth Incident and still eagerly await China’s democratization.
In 1989, an unprecedented peaceful democratization movement took place in China. However, unfortunately, 33 years have passed since this democratization movement was brutally suppressed by the hardline Chinese Communist Party led by Deng Xiaoping. Thirty-three years later, we have witnessed a rare dramatic reversal in human history worldwide, and the rise of authoritarian China constitutes the most serious challenge to universal values to date. Thirty-three years later, today, we must say that the Tiananmen Square incident changed not only China but the world as well.
Here, I would like to call on all of us to join forces to protect the memory of history. The pain of history must not be covered by lies written in ink or ruthless power. Those young students, the passionate citizens, their passion and dedication must not be forgotten in history. Never forget, never give up—this is the minimum morality every Chinese person with a conscience should possess.
A few months ago, together with friends, I proposed to the outside world the establishment of the Tiananmen Incident Memorial Hall (June 4th Memorial Hall) in New York, USA. Such memorials not only collect and preserve historical relics related to the June Fourth Incident, but also revive historical memories in the real world through the display of these artifacts. The establishment of such memorials is a historical responsibility for us, especially the generation of 1989, and it serves to explain the history we have lived through and the students and people who passed away.
To those who participated in the movement at the time, my friends from the 1989 generation, I want to say the following. Thank you for fighting together for a better China back then, and now, even in middle age, I hope you continue to hold onto those ideals. The establishment of the June 4th Memorial Hall is a concrete way to perpetuate our ideals.
Especially to the supporters at the time, mainly international students, I would like to say the following: Thank you for your efforts in calling for support in the United States and the international community. I hope the June 4th Memorial Museum will continue to receive your support just as it did back then.
To everyone who supports democratization in China, I want to say the following: Looking back at history, it was not the 1989 democratization movement that led China down the path of evil, but the June Fourth crackdown, and if things continue as they are, China will only drift further away from freedom and democracy. The existence of such a system based on evil, injustice, and injustice mocks human conscience and justice, and our rise must threaten world peace and freedom. Also, simply sitting and waiting for history to change authoritarian regimes is merely postponing the struggle and avoiding risks; over time, the struggle may become more difficult and the risks greater. Therefore, we call on everyone here to renew the spirit of 1989, actively confront the Communist Party dictatorship, pay attention to the challenges posed by the Chinese Communist Party regime to a free and democratic society, and support the development of democratization in China. Cooperating in the construction of this memorial is itself part of the resistance.
Personally, I hope that at the latest, on the 35th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square incident, we will gather and hold a grand opening ceremony for the memorial hall. Please visit the website of the June Fourth Memorial Hall (jinian64.org) to see the progress of the project, and we look forward to your donations so that we can build it as soon as possible.
Finally, as a participant in that movement and as a witness, on behalf of my comrades since 1989, I pledge to continue upholding our ideals of opposing one-party dictatorship and establishing constitutional democracy, no matter how difficult the difficulties we face. We will not forget or give up. The souls of those who died back then are the driving force that keeps us moving forward.
Also, onJune 4th this year, we hope everyone will contribute in their own ways toward the establishment of the memorial hall.
Thank you all very much.
Wang Dan
2022.5.31
How to donate
Due to ongoing harassment by the Chinese government against general donors and the June Fourth Memorial Organizing Committee, information about donors is not actively disclosed. If you have donated and wish to have your information listed in the official directory, please send your name, date and time of donation, method and amount, 198964mm@gmail.com update the directory as soon as possible. The June 4th Memorial Hall sincerely thanks everyone for your support.
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