On June 4, 1989, tanks and soldiers were ordered into Tiananmen Square to disperse peaceful demonstrations calling for democracy, human rights, and an end to rampant corruption.  At least ten thousand civilians and students were estimated to have lost their lives or have been injured.  Many people, especially the victims’ families, still grieve for their loved ones.  Courageous groups, like the Tiananmen Mothers, have never stopped seeking accountability, despite great personal risk.  Meanwhile, suppression of free speech and further human rights violations continue, often persecuting target populations, including Christians, Tibetans, Falun Gong, Uyghur Muslims, and Mongolians.

Even today, we recognize the heroic efforts of those who lost their lives, fighting for democracy, self -determination and human rights.  On June 4, 2022, between 11 AM and 1 PM, we will gather together in the Rockville Town Square (Rockville, Maryland) to honor this historic protest of thirty-three years ago. Tiananmen Square protestors’ exemplary courage serves as inspiration to a further calling for freedom and democracy around the world, beginning with the fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of communism in Eastern Europe in the months that followed the Tiananmen Massacre. The spirit of Tiananmen’s protestors’ bravery echoes even now as many stand up to repression and tyranny in Ukraine.  We welcome people from all ethnic and cultural backgrounds to join us in the celebration of the pursuit of freedom.