Gathering of the “Tiananmen Mothers” for New Year 2025
“天安门母亲”2025年新春聚会
The following is a statement from the “Tiananmen Mothers” group, translated by Human Rights in China. 后附中文版。
On December 28, 2024, bereaved families of the Tiananmen Square Massacre victims gathered in Beijing for the first time since their annual meetings were disrupted by the pandemic. The atmosphere was heartfelt and emotional as the families reunited after several years apart, exchanging sincere greetings and rekindling a deep sense of connection.
However, the reality remains harsh and sorrowful. Time has etched its mark on everyone. Many elderly parents, now burdened by declining health, are no longer able to attend these gatherings. Though their hearts remain with others who have lost children, their voices are heard only when fellow bereaved families visit to convey messages of care and support. The once-young spouses and siblings of the victims—who were in their twenties and thirties 35 years ago—now find themselves in their sixties and beyond, their graying hair and weathered faces bearing the weight of decades of grief and hardship.
Looking back, many bereaved family members have passed away without ever seeing justice for their loved ones who were unjustly killed. This is the cruel and heartbreaking reality. Over just the past decade, from 2014 to today, significant changes have occurred within this community.
At the event, You Weijie, a member of the support team, delivered a heartfelt speech. She shared that in November, she and her colleagues visited elderly parents of victims in Beijing and reached out to bereaved families living outside the city, through letters and WeChat. As part of their efforts, they distributed the last remaining donations received years ago from compassionate Hong Kong citizens, hoping these small gestures could offer comfort and support. Tragically, the past two years have seen the loss of several bereaved family members. One father, Wang Deyi, passed away just a day before they had planned to visit him, and another, Zhao Jinsuo, a disabled man battling lung cancer, died on Christmas Day. He had intended to attend this gathering if not for his passing. These unexpected losses served as poignant reminders of life’s fragility, deeply affecting the group.
Ms. You recognised the presence of two mothers who exemplify the resilience of this community: the 80-year-old "Mother Qi" and the 70-some "Mother Liu," who attended alongside her husband. Together with siblings, spouses, and disabled survivors, they form a steadfast but dwindling group. Ms. You expressed profound gratitude to the justice-minded individuals who have provided steadfast support over the years. While the government remains silent, the memory of the 1989 Tiananmen Massacre and the unwavering call for justice continue to resonate among the public and within this determined community.
The Tiananmen Massacre, which occurred 35 years ago in 1989, remains a painful and unresolved chapter in history. As 2025 begins, the 36th anniversary draws near, but the future for those seeking justice remains uncertain. Plans for collective memorial activities – including those marking the 25th and 35th anniversaries – have been repeatedly thwarted by the authorities. These occasions were intended as moments for bereaved families to grieve openly and demand accountability, yet police interference has left an enduring sense of loss and unfulfilled resolution. Mourning innocent loved ones is a fundamental human right—morally, emotionally, and legally—and should never face obstruction.
We call upon all who cherish peace, oppose violence, and uphold justice to stand with us in condemning the government’s brutal actions, which saw military force used to kill unarmed civilians. Until the authorities acknowledge the Tiananmen Massacre, apologize to the victims’ families, and confront this atrocity with honesty, we will continue to fight for dignity, justice, and the rights which should be afforded to every human.
— The Bereaved “Tiananmen Mothers” in Beijing
4 January 2025
“天安门母亲”2025年新春聚会
2024年12月28日，在京的部分难属相聚一堂，这是自疫情以来停断几年之后难属的再次相聚。情深切、心相守，几年不见，大家依然倍感亲切，相互之间致以最真挚的问候。
然而，事实又是那么残酷和凄凉。岁月的痕迹留在了每个人身上，很多年迈的父母亲因为身体原因无法再继续参加年度聚会，虽然他们的心在记挂着与他们同样失去孩子的其他难属；也只是在看望他们时，能听到他们对其他难属的问候。35年前二三十岁年轻的妻子和丈夫、受伤者、遇难者的兄弟姐妹们，经过35年的风霜，他们已不再年华正茂，而今两鬓斑白，步入了六十岁以上的老人行列。
回顾历史，我们难属群体有很多人没能看到他们的亲人被无辜打死为他们讨回公道这一天到来便离开了人世，这是人世间最最残忍的一件事实。从2014年至今短短十年中，参加新春聚会的难属们发生了很大的变化。
在会上，服务团队成员尤维洁做了简短的发言。她说到：
在十一月份她曾和服务团队其他成员一起去看望了在京已经年迈的父母亲们，并和家在外地难属进行了信件和微信联系；同时把我们几年前收到的最后一笔未启动的香港市民捐款送给了他们，希望这些来自于民间充满爱意的个人捐款能够帮助到他们，给他们温暖。通过了解，得知近两年有多位难属去世，尤其是11月一位名叫王德义的父亲在我们联系准备见他的前一天去世，非常遗憾。还有一位伤残者赵金锁，是一位肺癌患者，在12月25日圣诞节这一天去世；如果他没有去世，他会来参加这次的聚会，和大家见面。得知这些消息感到非常突然，太意外了，心里很难过。希望大家保重好身体。
在此特别要提到前来参加的两位母亲，一位是八十多岁的齐妈妈，一位是年轻的七十多岁的刘妈妈还有她的老伴，今天来了三位父母亲。其他就是我们这些妻子、丈夫、伤残者还有遇难者的兄弟姐妹们，感谢大家的参与。
“六四”惨案虽然过去了那么多年，我们一直是得到了很多有正义感的人们支持和帮助的，已经替大家向他们表示了感谢。我们不会忘记，有正义感的人们同样也是不会忘记“六四”这一惨案，只有政府在保持沉默。
1989年发生在北京首都的“六四”惨案已经过去了35周年。2025年初始，再过半年就是“六四”惨案36周年，这半年内我们难属群体会发生什么事，一切都无法预料。就如我们曾想在35周年时举行一个集体祭奠活动，这项活动是难属们从“六四”惨案10周年决定开始做的。每隔5年都会有难属代表参与现场的祭奠活动，这也是难属表达自己心愿、表述内心痛苦的时刻。直至35周年，25年内有两年难属们未能祭奠，一年是25周年，一年是35周年，原因是政府公安出面加以了阻扰。这是难属们心中留下的永久遗憾。悼念被无辜枪杀的亲人，无论是道义上、情感上、法律上没有任何的错误，政府不应出面横加干涉。
我们在此继续呼吁世界上所有热爱和平、反对杀戮、有正义感的人士与我们站在一起，谴责当年政府动用军队枪杀无辜平民的暴政行为。只要政府一天不就“六四”惨案昭告于天下，向遇难者亲属道歉，我们就一天不会放弃维护我们做人尊严的权利。
“天安门母亲”在京部分难属
2025年1月4日