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22 years ago this weekend (June 4, 1989) a peaceful 100,000-strong student-led protest in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square caught the world’s attention when the Chinese government cracked down with tanks and troops. Hundreds died, up to 10,000 were injured, and widespread arrests, trials, and executions of pro-democracy leaders followed.
Liu Xiaobo, who was awarded the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize on Oct. 8, is still best known for playing an important role in the protests and he is largely credited with saving the lives of hundreds if not thousands of student protesters by negotiating with Chinese soldiers to let them leave. He is the first Chinese citizen to be awarded a Nobel Prize of any kind while residing in China. He is the fourth person to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize while in prison or detention.
Liu was sentenced to two years in prison for his efforts at Tiananmen. From then until 1999 he was in and out of labor camps, prisons, detention centers and house arrest. In 2008, he initiated the “Charter 08” manifesto calling for China to comply with the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Consequently, he was again arrested and sentenced to a harsh 11 years in prison for “inciting subversion of state power” — even though China is a signatory of the U.N. declaration.
Liao Yiwu, one of his oldest friends, said: “Because of him, Chinese history does not come to a stop. After 1989, many people chose to forget what had happened, chose to go abroad, chose to divert themselves into doing business, or even to work with the government – but he did not.”
Liu’s name is barely known in China due to continued censorship. And since his win, pressure on fellow activists has intensified, not relaxed.
Shepard created this image for the anniversary of Tiananmen and to support efforts against the ongoing oppression of freedom of speech in China. No prints will be produced or sold.
