Twenty-five years ago, a pro-democratic protest turned deadly in China's Tiananmen Square. The country's Communist Party leaders sent the military in to clear out the student protesters; hundreds, if not thousands died in the subsequent crackdown.
Hopes of commemorating the day quickly turn to fears for safety each year; even now, reports the Los Angeles Times, political activists who do much more than mention the event are at risk of being placed under house arrest. Some dissenters have created unique ways to voice their opposition while dodging detention. A famous image from the 1989 day, known now as "Tank Man," became a jumping-off point for memes critiquing the crackdown. Protesters use savvy tricks to slip the image through tough Chinese online censors, such as swapping June 4 for #May35.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
7 drinks for every winter need possibleThe Week Recommends Including a variety of base spirits and a range of temperatures
-
'We have made it a crime for most refugees to want the American dream'Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Was the Azerbaijan Airlines plane shot down?Today's Big Question Multiple sources claim Russian anti-aircraft missile damaged passenger jet, leading to Christmas Day crash that killed at least 38
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstancesSpeed Read
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2Speed Read
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governorSpeed Read
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditionsSpeed Read
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billionSpeed Read
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on recordSpeed Read
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homesSpeed Read
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creatureSpeed Read
