Photo Essay: Tiananmen Square Hunger Strikers Appeal for Change in 1989

The hunger strikes begun on May 13, 1989, by the students on Tiananmen Square continued and rapidly...
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Photo Essay: Tiananmen Square Hunger Strikers Appeal for Change in 1989
May 19th. An effigy of the Statue of Liberty stands with the hunger strikers in front of the Shanghai city government offices.(64memo.com)
6/4/2009
Updated:
6/4/2009
<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/A049a_medium.jpg"><img src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/A049a_medium.jpg" alt="May 15th: United, mother and son in hunger strike together. (64memo.com)" title="May 15th: United, mother and son in hunger strike together. (64memo.com)" width="320" class="size-medium wp-image-86949"/></a>
May 15th: United, mother and son in hunger strike together. (64memo.com)

The hunger strikes began on May 13, 1989, by the students on Tiananmen Square. The strikes caught on and rapidly grew in one day from 800 students to 3,000. The students gained increasing support from society, including Buddhist monks, court judges, and policemen, all cheering the students’ efforts.

<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/LF10054_medium.jpg"><img src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/LF10054_medium.jpg" alt="May 14th, 5pm: Flags in the Tiananmen Square declare: 'Democratic dialogue'. At this time the actual dialogue between the regime and students are not broadcas on TV as the regime had promised. One professor pleads: 'save my students'. Behind him a banner says: 'Teachers and students will live or die together'." title="May 14th, 5pm: Flags in the Tiananmen Square declare: 'Democratic dialogue'. At this time the actual dialogue between the regime and students are not broadcas on TV as the regime had promised. One professor pleads: 'save my students'. Behind him a banner says: 'Teachers and students will live or die together'." width="320" class="size-medium wp-image-86950"/></a>
May 14th, 5pm: Flags in the Tiananmen Square declare: 'Democratic dialogue'. At this time the actual dialogue between the regime and students are not broadcas on TV as the regime had promised. One professor pleads: 'save my students'. Behind him a banner says: 'Teachers and students will live or die together'.

<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/Z070a_medium.jpg"><img src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/Z070a_medium.jpg" alt="May 15th: Students on the Tiananmen Square in the morning next day after the hunger strike began. Participants of the hunger strike rose swiftly from 800 to 3,000. (64memo.com)" title="May 15th: Students on the Tiananmen Square in the morning next day after the hunger strike began. Participants of the hunger strike rose swiftly from 800 to 3,000. (64memo.com)" width="320" class="size-medium wp-image-86951"/></a>
May 15th: Students on the Tiananmen Square in the morning next day after the hunger strike began. Participants of the hunger strike rose swiftly from 800 to 3,000. (64memo.com)

<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/Z067a_medium.jpg"><img src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/Z067a_medium.jpg" alt="May 15th: A Beijing university student sits bound in a cardboard box as the strike for democracy continues for the third day in Beijing's Tiananmen Square. The box indicates he cannot use his hands, serving as proof that he cannot eat. (64memo.com)" title="May 15th: A Beijing university student sits bound in a cardboard box as the strike for democracy continues for the third day in Beijing's Tiananmen Square. The box indicates he cannot use his hands, serving as proof that he cannot eat. (64memo.com)" width="320" class="size-medium wp-image-86952"/></a>
May 15th: A Beijing university student sits bound in a cardboard box as the strike for democracy continues for the third day in Beijing's Tiananmen Square. The box indicates he cannot use his hands, serving as proof that he cannot eat. (64memo.com)

<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/C075a_medium.jpg"><img src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/C075a_medium.jpg" alt="May 15th: Mom, I am hungry. But I can't eat, as read on a tent in Tiananmen Square. (64memo.com)" title="May 15th: Mom, I am hungry. But I can't eat, as read on a tent in Tiananmen Square. (64memo.com)" width="320" class="size-medium wp-image-86953"/></a>
May 15th: Mom, I am hungry. But I can't eat, as read on a tent in Tiananmen Square. (64memo.com)

<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/C075b_medium.jpg"><img src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/C075b_medium.jpg" alt="May 15th: Students go to streets, carrying signs that read 'down with corruption'.(64memo.com)" title="May 15th: Students go to streets, carrying signs that read 'down with corruption'.(64memo.com)" width="320" class="size-medium wp-image-86954"/></a>
May 15th: Students go to streets, carrying signs that read 'down with corruption'.(64memo.com)

<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/A057a_medium.jpg"><img src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/A057a_medium.jpg" alt="May 15th. 'Our common ideal': Students marching with a banner in Russian, welcome the visiting Soviet leader Gorbachev, who advocates Glasnost and new thinking. (64memo.com)" title="May 15th. 'Our common ideal': Students marching with a banner in Russian, welcome the visiting Soviet leader Gorbachev, who advocates Glasnost and new thinking. (64memo.com)" width="320" class="size-medium wp-image-86955"/></a>
May 15th. 'Our common ideal': Students marching with a banner in Russian, welcome the visiting Soviet leader Gorbachev, who advocates Glasnost and new thinking. (64memo.com)

<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/P085_medium.jpg"><img src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/P085_medium.jpg" alt="May 16th. Peng Rong, biology student of Peking University, was a key member of the Beida's preparatory committee. He initiated a campaign of 'shaving heads bald' in protest right before June 4th, and was put in jail after the massacre. He was shown in this photo to conduct hunger strike on the Square while holding a microphone and directing his scout teams. His clothes were painted with a slogan: 'We Shall Overcome'. (64memo.com)" title="May 16th. Peng Rong, biology student of Peking University, was a key member of the Beida's preparatory committee. He initiated a campaign of 'shaving heads bald' in protest right before June 4th, and was put in jail after the massacre. He was shown in this photo to conduct hunger strike on the Square while holding a microphone and directing his scout teams. His clothes were painted with a slogan: 'We Shall Overcome'. (64memo.com)" width="320" class="size-medium wp-image-86956"/></a>
May 16th. Peng Rong, biology student of Peking University, was a key member of the Beida's preparatory committee. He initiated a campaign of 'shaving heads bald' in protest right before June 4th, and was put in jail after the massacre. He was shown in this photo to conduct hunger strike on the Square while holding a microphone and directing his scout teams. His clothes were painted with a slogan: 'We Shall Overcome'. (64memo.com)

<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/Z073b_medium.jpg"><img src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/Z073b_medium.jpg" alt="May 17th: Medics rush a student from Tiananmen Square after he collapsed on the third day of the hunger strike. (64memo.com)" title="May 17th: Medics rush a student from Tiananmen Square after he collapsed on the third day of the hunger strike. (64memo.com)" width="320" class="size-medium wp-image-86957"/></a>
May 17th: Medics rush a student from Tiananmen Square after he collapsed on the third day of the hunger strike. (64memo.com)

<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/A070b_medium.jpg"><img src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/A070b_medium.jpg" alt="May 17th: Monks re-enter 'the secular domain', supporting students in hunger strike. (64memo.com)" title="May 17th: Monks re-enter 'the secular domain', supporting students in hunger strike. (64memo.com)" width="320" class="size-medium wp-image-86958"/></a>
May 17th: Monks re-enter 'the secular domain', supporting students in hunger strike. (64memo.com)

<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/C040a_medium.jpg"><img src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/C040a_medium.jpg" alt="May 17th: Common ground could be found between the most traditional and most modern Chinese in the Tiananmen square. A monk is shown in the photo making a speech in support of students in the square. (64memo.com)" title="May 17th: Common ground could be found between the most traditional and most modern Chinese in the Tiananmen square. A monk is shown in the photo making a speech in support of students in the square. (64memo.com)" width="320" class="size-medium wp-image-86959"/></a>
May 17th: Common ground could be found between the most traditional and most modern Chinese in the Tiananmen square. A monk is shown in the photo making a speech in support of students in the square. (64memo.com)

<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/A051_medium.jpg"><img src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/A051_medium.jpg" alt="May 18th: Students' hunger strike touches the hearts of the wider populace. Even judges come to the street to save the students.(64memo.com)" title="May 18th: Students' hunger strike touches the hearts of the wider populace. Even judges come to the street to save the students.(64memo.com)" width="320" class="size-medium wp-image-86960"/></a>
May 18th: Students' hunger strike touches the hearts of the wider populace. Even judges come to the street to save the students.(64memo.com)

<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/P081_medium.jpg"><img src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/P081_medium-342x450.jpg" alt="May 18th: Military police from University of Police Officers goes to streets in support of the student movement. (64memo.com)" title="May 18th: Military police from University of Police Officers goes to streets in support of the student movement. (64memo.com)" width="320" class="size-medium wp-image-86961"/></a>
May 18th: Military police from University of Police Officers goes to streets in support of the student movement. (64memo.com)

<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/P066_medium.jpg"><img src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/P066_medium-331x450.jpg" alt="May 18th: An innocent-looking child riding on his dad's shoulder, holding a banner that reads, 'Support the students' movement'.(64memo.com)" title="May 18th: An innocent-looking child riding on his dad's shoulder, holding a banner that reads, 'Support the students' movement'.(64memo.com)" width="320" class="size-medium wp-image-86962"/></a>
May 18th: An innocent-looking child riding on his dad's shoulder, holding a banner that reads, 'Support the students' movement'.(64memo.com)

<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/Z081_medium.jpg"><img src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/Z081_medium-331x450.jpg" alt="May 18th: A Beijing policeman encourages students demonstrating for democratic reforms. (64memo.com)" title="May 18th: A Beijing policeman encourages students demonstrating for democratic reforms. (64memo.com)" width="320" class="size-medium wp-image-86963"/></a>
May 18th: A Beijing policeman encourages students demonstrating for democratic reforms. (64memo.com)

<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/C044a_medium.jpg"><img src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/C044a_medium.jpg" alt="May 19th: Camping outdoors on the Square, students either lie down on the ground, or stay inside buses or tents. A Republic-on-the-Square is formed in the center of China's capital. Students are shown in the photo sleeping on the roof of buses bathing the morning sunshine.(64memo.com)" title="May 19th: Camping outdoors on the Square, students either lie down on the ground, or stay inside buses or tents. A Republic-on-the-Square is formed in the center of China's capital. Students are shown in the photo sleeping on the roof of buses bathing the morning sunshine.(64memo.com)" width="320" class="size-medium wp-image-86964"/></a>
May 19th: Camping outdoors on the Square, students either lie down on the ground, or stay inside buses or tents. A Republic-on-the-Square is formed in the center of China's capital. Students are shown in the photo sleeping on the roof of buses bathing the morning sunshine.(64memo.com)

<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/P084a-_medium.jpg"><img src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/P084a-_medium.jpg" alt="May 19th, 4am: Zhao Ziyang and Wen Jiabao, China's current premier, suddenly appear on the Square without advanced announcement and visit the students who are still on hunger strike inside the bus. Zhao Ziyang has just been reprimanded by the Party leadership and is out of power at that moment. (64memo.com)" title="May 19th, 4am: Zhao Ziyang and Wen Jiabao, China's current premier, suddenly appear on the Square without advanced announcement and visit the students who are still on hunger strike inside the bus. Zhao Ziyang has just been reprimanded by the Party leadership and is out of power at that moment. (64memo.com)" width="320" class="size-medium wp-image-86965"/></a>
May 19th, 4am: Zhao Ziyang and Wen Jiabao, China's current premier, suddenly appear on the Square without advanced announcement and visit the students who are still on hunger strike inside the bus. Zhao Ziyang has just been reprimanded by the Party leadership and is out of power at that moment. (64memo.com)

<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/C044b_medium.jpg"><img src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/C044b_medium.jpg" alt="May 19th: Usually, students on hunger strike stayed inside the buses, while others had to sleep outside. (64memo.com)" title="May 19th: Usually, students on hunger strike stayed inside the buses, while others had to sleep outside. (64memo.com)" width="320" class="size-medium wp-image-86966"/></a>
May 19th: Usually, students on hunger strike stayed inside the buses, while others had to sleep outside. (64memo.com)

<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/Z084_medium.jpg"><img src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/Z084_medium.jpg" alt="May 19th: Beijing youths chanting as they drive to Tiananmen Square Friday to lend their enthusiastic support to striking students.(64memo.com)" title="May 19th: Beijing youths chanting as they drive to Tiananmen Square Friday to lend their enthusiastic support to striking students.(64memo.com)" width="320" class="size-medium wp-image-86967"/></a>
May 19th: Beijing youths chanting as they drive to Tiananmen Square Friday to lend their enthusiastic support to striking students.(64memo.com)

<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/Z088_medium.jpg"><img src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/07/Z088_medium-343x450.jpg" alt="May 19th. An effigy of the Statue of Liberty stands with the hunger strikers in front of the Shanghai city government offices.(64memo.com)" title="May 19th. An effigy of the Statue of Liberty stands with the hunger strikers in front of the Shanghai city government offices.(64memo.com)" width="320" class="size-medium wp-image-86968"/></a>
May 19th. An effigy of the Statue of Liberty stands with the hunger strikers in front of the Shanghai city government offices.(64memo.com)