Washington, D.C. – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released a statement today in remembrance of the 23rd anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre:
“Today marks the 23rd Anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre. On this day we remember the Chinese students, workers, and citizens who peacefully assembled to call for the end of corruption, the acceleration of democratic reform, and a dialogue with China’s leaders.
“As the heroes of Tiananmen are remembered in Hong Kong and around the world, information relating to the events of June 4th and the Tiananmen Square massacre are censored and hidden from the Chinese people.
“The Tiananmen Mothers are bravely continuing their calls for the Chinese government to enter into a dialogue and provide an earnest and responsible account of the June 4th events. Sadly, Ya Weilin, a 73-year old mother whose son was killed in the massacre, resorted to suicide last week to protest the position of the government. It is long past time for the Chinese government to provide a full, public accounting of the crackdown, stop persecution of the families, and finally allow the families to mourn publicly without interference.
“The Chinese government should immediately and unconditionally release those imprisoned for exercising their rights to freedom of expression, assembly, and religion including Liu Xiaobo, the world’s only imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize Laureate who co-authored Charter 08, an online petition calling for democratic reform.
“One of the most enduring images of the 20th Century will forever be seared into our conscience – the picture of the lone man standing in the street, bringing the line of tanks to a grinding halt. Today, the spirit of Tiananmen lives on in the hearts and minds of those continuing the struggle both in China and abroad.”
Pelosi Statement on 23rd Anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre
June 04, 2012
