The Tiananmen massacre occurred on June 4, 1989 ending months of student-led demonstrations in China. Hundreds, perhaps over a thousand, people died as the military suppressed protesters in Beijing.
Commemorating Hu Yaobang. Photo: HRIC archive, courtesy of Gail Butler, Libby Schmalz.
HKFP has obtained rare images from Human Rights in China (HRIC)‘s archive, before and after the crackdown, courtesy of Gail Butler and Libby Schmalz.
Commemorating Hu Yaobang. Photo: HRIC archive, courtesy of Gail Butler, Libby Schmalz.
The collection is part of HRIC’s “Unforgotten” project, dedicated to those killed when Chinese troops acted upon the orders of the Chinese Communist Party and shot at crowds.
Banner: ‘Medical school faculty salutes patriotic students,’ May 17, 1989. Photo: HRIC archive, courtesy of Gail Butler, Libby Schmalz.
In a statement, HRIC said the project aims to tell the stories of those who have fallen and generate international support for the Tiananmen Mothers in their three demands from the central government: “the truth of what happened, accountability for the killing of unarmed civilians, and compensation to survivors and families of those killed.”
People reading protest poetry. Photo: HRIC archive, courtesy of Gail Butler, Libby Schmalz.
See the profiles of some of those killed in the crackdown on HRIC’s website.
High school students marching, May 17, 1989. Photo: HRIC archive, courtesy of Gail Butler, Libby Schmalz.Banner in the foreground: ‘People in charge of the country.’ Photo: HRIC archive, courtesy of Gail Butler, Libby Schmalz.Banner in the foreground: ‘If the old don’t step down, the young cannot step up; Deng Xiaoping should lead the way.’ Photo: HRIC archive, courtesy of Gail Butler, Libby Schmalz.Top banner on the column is a petition from the faculty and students of the Central CPC School . Photo: HRIC archive, courtesy of Gail Butler, Libby Schmalz.Citizens deliver water to students. Photo: HRIC archive, courtesy of Gail Butler, Libby Schmalz.Construction of the Goddess of Democracy statue in Tiananmen Square. Photo: HRIC archive, courtesy of Gail Butler, Libby Schmalz.Students on hunger strike. Photo: HRIC archive, courtesy of Gail Butler, Libby Schmalz.Banner on right: ‘For the sake of the Party, Deng Xiaoping: please step down.’ Photo: HRIC archive, courtesy of Gail Butler, Libby Schmalz.Banner: ‘Our whole family supports the students, loves the students.’ Photo: HRIC archive, courtesy of Gail Butler, Libby Schmalz.Banner on the bus: ‘Oppose news blackout.’ Photo: HRIC archive, courtesy of Gail Butler, Libby Schmalz.Troops entering Beijing. Photo: HRIC archive, courtesy of Gail Butler, Libby Schmalz.People and the People’s Army. Photo: HRIC archive, courtesy of Gail Butler, Libby Schmalz.Policeman holding sign: ‘The students will prevail.’ Photo: HRIC archive, courtesy of Gail Butler, Libby Schmalz.Student demonstrators from different universities in Tiananmen Square. Photo: HRIC archive, courtesy of Gail Butler, Libby Schmalz.Civilians using a bus to stop troops’ advance. Photo: HRIC archive, courtesy of Gail Butler, Libby Schmalz.A standoff between citizens and troops. Photo: HRIC archive, courtesy of Gail Butler, Libby Schmalz.A standoff between citizens and troops. Photo: HRIC archive, courtesy of Gail Butler, Libby Schmalz.A standoff between citizens and troops. Photo: HRIC archive, courtesy of Gail Butler, Libby Schmalz.After the crackdown. Photo: HRIC archive, courtesy of Gail Butler, Libby Schmalz.After the crackdown. Photo: HRIC archive, courtesy of Gail Butler, Libby Schmalz.After the crackdown. Photo: HRIC archive, courtesy of Gail Butler, Libby Schmalz.
