On this day, 25 years ago, art students in Beijing, China erected the Goddess of Democracy statue at the protests in Tiananmen Square. In the days that followed government forces destroyed the statue and imprisoned protesters, leading up to the infamous June 4 massacre.
Here is an excerpt from the official statement by the artists that made the 30 foot tall statue:
At this grim moment, what we need most is to remain calm and united in a single purpose. We need a powerful cementing force to strengthen our resolve: That is the Goddess of Democracy. Democracy…You are the symbol of every student in the Square, of the hearts of millions of people. …Today, here in the People’s Square, the people’s Goddess stands tall and announces to the whole world: A consciousness of democracy has awakened among the Chinese people! The new era has begun! …The statue of the Goddess of Democracy is made of plaster, and of course cannot stand here forever. But as the symbol of the people’s hearts, she is divine and inviolate. Let those who would sully her beware: the people will not permit this! …On the day when real democracy and freedom come to China, we must erect another Goddess of Democracy here in the Square, monumental, towering, and permanent. We have strong faith that that day will come at last. We have still another hope: Chinese people, arise! Erect the statue of the Goddess of Democracy in your millions of hearts! Long live the people! Long live freedom! Long live democracy!
In the years since, replicas of the piece have been made all over the world. Here is a video of the latest copy being installed at a new museum in Hong Kong that is defiantly dedicated to remembering the faithful fallen and plans to open in about a week on the anniversary of the massacre.
Stay Awake!
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