On the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre on June 4th, voices of condemnation from both parties in the US Congress are heard, condemning the Chinese Communist Party’s crackdown on democracy and vowing not to let the spirit of “June 4th” fade away, nor allow dictators to distort history. Former Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, expressed that despite more than 30 years having passed since “June 4th,” the Chinese Communist Party’s repression and persecution have only intensified.
“Thirty-five years ago, at Tiananmen Square in Beijing, the world witnessed one of the bravest dissenting actions in modern history, as well as one of the most violent and brutal crackdowns,” Pelosi said in a statement on Monday, June 3rd. “The image of a man standing alone in front of a row of tanks is forever etched in our collective memory. That man in front of the tank continues to remind us of the heroic spirit of Chinese ordinary citizens who risked their lives for dignity and freedom.”
“Sadly, over 30 years later, the repression and persecution of the Chinese Communist Party regime has only escalated. We see ongoing acts of genocide against the Uighurs, attacks on religion, language, and culture in Tibet, baseless prosecutions of pro-democracy advocates in Hong Kong under the new so-called national security law, and more violations nationwide. Meanwhile, we also see their threats to global security in the South China Sea and increased provocations against Taiwan.”
“On the basis of bipartisan and bicameral support, Democratic and Republican members of both the House and Senate strongly condemn these shameful human rights abuses by the Chinese Communist Party and the threats to security, proudly standing with brave truth-tellers and pro-democracy protesters.”
“Thirty-five years ago, the tanks and military in Beijing may have crushed the protest, but they could not suppress the demands for dignity and democracy that have echoed since then. Today, and every day, we pay tribute to the protest heroes of Tiananmen Square – we will not allow their dreams of a fairer, freer China to be forgotten,” Pelosi stated.
Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Republican Representative Michael McCaul, told Fox News, “Thirty-five years ago, the Chinese Communist Party killed hundreds, possibly thousands, of unarmed innocent civilians who were calling for democratic reform.”
“We cannot let the spirit of those murdered at Tiananmen Square fade away; we cannot allow dictators to distort history. Today, we remember them and continue to condemn the horrifying human rights violations by the Chinese Communist Party,” McCaul emphasized.
Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Democratic Senator Ben Cardin, wrote in a piece for Fox News on the 35th anniversary of “June 4th,” stating, “Our global human rights commitments carry weight only when we boldly condemn and take action against human rights abuses wherever and whenever they occur.”
“The voices of the courageous martyrs sacrificed in the Tiananmen Square massacre 35 years ago continue to resonate in our collective conscience,” he wrote. “On that day, the PLA, under the orders of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leadership, killed and injured thousands of peaceful pro-democracy protesters calling for political reform and an end to corruption.”
Cardin emphasized that it was a day of immense tragedy, a “massacre.” This massacre shocked the international community and also highlighted humanity’s inherent desire for freedom.
Republican Senator Rick Scott stated on social media platform X on Tuesday, “In 1989, the world watched in horror as the Chinese Communist Party used military force to suppress at least ten thousand pro-democracy activists gathered at Tiananmen Square.”
“Thirty-five years later, we honor the legacy of these brave freedom fighters and reaffirm our commitment to never stop holding Communist China accountable for its atrocities,” he said.
Republican Representative Michelle Steel said on X platform that 35 years ago, the world witnessed the brutal actions of the Chinese Communist Party in the Tiananmen Square massacre of democracy protesters. To this day, the CCP continues to oppress its own citizens. “I will always stand with the Chinese dissenters fighting for freedom and democracy.”