Do you remember this photo? It was taken 20 years ago, in 1989, after the supression of the Tiananmen Square Democracy Protests in Beijing, China. 

(c) Jeff Weidner, Associated Press

The tanks were attempting to drive out of Tiananmen Square. As the column of tanks approached an intersection on a road ironically named Avenue of Eternal Peace, an unarmed man stood in the center of the street, halting the tanks' progress. He was reported to have said, "Why are you here? You have caused nothing but misery." As the tank driver attempted to go around him, the "tank man" moved into the tank's path. He continued to stand defiantly in front of the tanks for some time, then climbed up onto the turret of the lead tank to speak to the soldiers inside. After returning to his position blocking the tanks, the man was pulled aside by onlookers who perhaps feared he would be shot or run over. (Photos and some text from Wikipedia)

Prior to this, students and Democracy advocates began to speak out more freely and demand more freedom of speech and political freedom. This began first as posted handbills on a "Democracy Wall" and then grew into live demonstrations. Tiananmen Square became the gathering place for those who yearned for freedom and chose to speak out. The peaceful demonstrations continued to grow and gain support and momentum, both within China and throughout the rest of the world.

Many around the world watched and waited, with trepidation and hope, to see if Democratic reforms would actually be enacted, or what response, if any, the repressive Communist regime in China was going to take. Some of us really hoped that this might be the beginnings of a free China when the students erected the "Goddess of Democracy" in Tienanmen Square on May 30, 1989.

However, the Communist government responded by declaring martial law and then responded with violence. They rolled toward Tiananmen Square in tanks and armored personnel carriers. They began their attack on the square at 10:30 at night, when many of the students were going to sleep in their tents and makeshift shelters. By dawn the next morning, the Square had been cleared. The Goddess of Democracy had been torn down and crushed. What happened to all those people? We will probably never know the full extent of the violence and bloodshed that took place in that Square that night. The Communist Party of China denies that there were any deaths inside Tiananmen Square. However, based on eyewitness accounts and reports from journalists and other sources, it is much more likely that several thousand died in Tiananmen Square that awful night. And all for what? To prove a point. That the Communist Government was in charge--and no one, not even tens of thousands of students in Tiananmen Square and around Beijing, nor the millions who supported their efforts around the world were going to sway this repressive regime. This student "rebellion" ended in bloodshed and deaths. However, the desire for freedom will continue to live in China's people. We may not see a free China in our lifetimes, but one crushed rebellion will not crush the spirit of a people.

The photo of the lone man in front of the line of tanks still gives me goosebumps when I look at it. I have a framed copy of a poster of this photo in my office above my desk. It reminds me of the lengths people are willing to go to speak out and defend the need for freedom.

It reminds me of just how lucky I am to live in a free country where I am able to speak out and not have to face a row of tanks in order to do so.

By the way, if you are interested in reading more about the Tiananmen Square Protests of 1989, there is a great summary found on Wikipedia at this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiananmen_Square_protests_of_1989

Note:  Some of you may have read this article previously, as I posted it to my CafeMom account, but in the wake of the 20th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre, I thought it would be appropriate to repost it here and to my other online writing outlets. 
 

LET FREEDOM RING ALL AROUND THE WORLD!!!