Gathering of the “Tiananmen Mothers” for New Year 2025
From : The Bereaved “Tiananmen Mothers” in Beijing 01-04-2025
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.
The Tiananmen Mothers’ New Year’s Gathering on December 28, 2024. Mother Liu is second from the left in the front row; Mother Qi is in the center.
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.
The Tiananmen Mothers’ gathering on February 2, 2015. Mr. Jiang Peikun is all the way to the right in the front row, and Ms. Ding Zilin is third from the right in the second row.
The Tiananmen Mothers’ New Year’s Gathering on December 28, 2024. Mother Liu is second from the left in the front row; Mother Qi is in the center.
Photos from the 2014 gathering capture the now-deceased Xu Jue, Yin Min, Gao Jie, Wang Shuanglan, Tan Shuqin, and Feng Youxiang; six individuals who are no longer with us. The final pre-pandemic gathering took place at the end of 2019, after which these meetings were put on hold. At the 2025 Lunar New Year gathering, notable attendees included “Mother Liu” and “Mother Qi,” elderly women now in their eighties and seventies, accompanied by their husbands. These parents represent some of the few remaining survivors in a community that continues to diminish with time.
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 Tiananmen Mothers’ New Year’s Gathering in 2019.