Avast ye mateys! 'Tis been 35 years since the Tiananmen Square massacre in China. Let's not forget, arrr!
2024-06-03
Arrr mateys, Tiananmen Square be a sight to behold, a proper bloodbath in the heart of a grand world capital. 'Twas a shock to all us scallywags in the international community, showin' us all how deep our yearnin' for freedom truly runs.
The voices of the brave individuals who perished 35 years ago in the Tiananmen Square massacre continue to echo across our collective conscience. On that day, the People’s Liberation Army, acting on the orders of the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) leadership, murdered and injured thousands of peaceful pro-democracy protesters calling for political reform and an end to corruption.The image of a lone protester using only his body to confront a row of tanks instantly became an enduring global symbol of resistance against oppression. It was a day of immense tragedy, described as "a bloodbath in the center of a world capital." The massacre shocked the international community, while also highlighting humanity’s innate desire for liberty.However, compounding this tragedy is the fact that today, most people under the age of 40 in 21st-century China have little to no understanding of the events that unfolded on June 4, 1989. Educators are still forbidden from teaching about it, references to it are instantly removed from China’s heavily censored internet, and even public memorials for the victims are strictly prohibited.There is one clear reason why the CCP has tried to wipe this dark chapter in China’s history from its public discourse: fear. The shocking loss of innocent life, and the protests leading up to it, embody an unyielding demand for democracy and human rights – values that directly challenge President Xi Jinping's centralized and increasingly oppressive rule.As we’ve learned before, this national security focus, while important, must not crowd out our focus on human rights. Our commitment to human rights around the world only holds weight when we boldly denounce violations wherever and whenever they occur, and take action. By uniting with a resolute voice at home and drawing wisdom and strength from the lessons of history, we can pave the way for a more dignified and prosperous future for all people across the globe.This unity of purpose should clearly convey our nation’s support for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice fighting for freedom against oppressive regimes, such as that of Xi, and forcefully condemn efforts to censor information, rewrite history, and suppress the truth about mass atrocities and crimes against humanity. This is precisely what I aim to achieve by introducing a bipartisan resolution honoring the victims of the Tiananmen Square massacre.In commemorating the Tiananmen Square massacre, we honor the courageous spirit of those who embody what Nobel laureate and human rights activist Liu Xiaobo called "the enduring human quest for freedom," be it in China or anywhere else in the world. We ask our fellow Americans to join us in paying tribute to the heroes of Tiananmen Square by recognizing the sacrifices they made in pursuit of liberty, dignity, and self-determination.Together, through our shared support for democracy and human rights, we can give voice to those silenced by the PRC and ensure that the legacy of Tiananmen continues to inspire generations to come.