He told HKFP the project shows that it is not just Chinese people who care, but people all over the world: “It tells me that the passion for freedom is borderless, it is a universal value we all share as human being. Comparing with his extraordinary action, we still have a lot to catch up. I hope if he is alive and see the this global action, he knows he is not alone and he is not forgotten,” Badiucao said. “Tank man shows me the maximum courage of a human being can ever have. Performer posing as “tank man” outside the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. In particular he noted Liu Xia, the widow of Chinese Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo, who has been under de facto house arrest despite facing no charges, and the wives of Chinese human rights lawyers campaigning for the release of their husbands. The artist also called upon women to join in, to highlight female dissidents who campaign for human rights in China. Performer posing as “tank man” outside Salisbury Cathedral, England. Photo: via Twitter.īadiucao told HKFP: “eople instantly share the understanding of the performance and organise themselves locally.” They were then asked to stand on a chair at any time on June 4 – the anniversary of the massacre – “posing” as “tank man.” Performer posing as “tank man”. Performer posing as “tank man” outside the Armed Forces Museum in Oslo, Norway. Performers were asked to wear a white shirt, black trousers and black shoes, carrying two Badiucao designed bags displaying political symbols. The artist and cartoonist Badiucao first performed the piece “One TankMan” in Australia on June 4, 2016, later encouraging people to set up their own performances under the hashtag #TankMen2018. Performer posing as “tank man” in Washington DC, USA. He came to symbolise dissent, although little is known of his identity or fate after the massacre. Performer posing as “tank man” outside The Sydney Opera House, Australia. It could be argued, though, that Tank Man’s name doesn’t matter as much as his act-all images of which are still banned by China’s repressive Communist regime.In Pictures: Performers across the world pose as iconic 'tank man' to commemorate China's Tiananmen Massacre - Hong Kong Free Press HKFP Close Interview Stuart Franklin: how I photographed Tiananmen Square and tank man Interview by Mee-Lai Stone The Magnum photographer tells his story of the 1989 protests, from peaceful. In fact, they claim they were unable to locate him. The Sunday Express, a British publication, reported that summer that his name was Wang Weilin, a 19-year-old student arrested for “political hooliganism.” Varying reports suggested the student was either imprisoned or executed.Ĭhinese officials have refused to confirm his name or whereabouts in response to numerous queries from Western journalists in the years since the incident. In the aftermath of the incident, the protester received worldwide acclaim however, his identity has still not been confirmed. Tank Man has never been positively identified. Soon, two men-possibly government officials-forcibly removed Tank Man from his position and carried him off, after which the tanks proceeded on their way. Though the tanks attempted to maneuver around Tank Man, he repeatedly moved to block their path. The tanks did indeed stop, and Tank Man was seen climbing up the front of the lead tank, and standing on it for several moments, during which time he spoke with a crew member. His defiance slowed the government crackdown on Tiananmen Square protesters.Īs documented by film taken at the time, Tank Man – wearing a simple white shirt, dark pants and carrying two shopping bags – initially halted the tanks by displaying the palm of his right hand in what is universally recognized as the signal for “stop.” His gesture has since become an enduring symbol of the bloody uprising in Beijing. To most, he is known simply as “Tank Man,” a nickname given him by the British tabloids. Time magazine has referred to him as the “Unknown Rebel,” and included him in its list of the 100 most important people of the 20th century.īut the identity of the lone, brave protester-captured on film and in countless photos giving a defiant “stop” sign to a phalanx of Chinese tanks rumbling through Tiananmen Square-remains shrouded in mystery. Allman, who witnessed the uprising from the balcony of a Beijing hotel room, has described him as the “true exemplar” of the Chinese protesters’ heroism. After Chinese officials-alarmed at the June 1989 pro-democracy demonstrations in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square-ordered soldiers and police to shoot and kill student protesters, one solitary man stood out from the crowd.
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