First Issued: June 6, 1989
Transcription, Editing and Markup: Sam Richards and Paul Saba
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It was with great grief and anger that we heard the news that sections of the People’s Liberation Army of the People’s Republic of China had turned its guns on the people of Beijing on 3rd June 1989. We add our voice to the protests of millions of progressive people around the world who have condemned this brutal attack on unarmed civilians.
We do not believe that essentially the recent student-led democracy movement based in Beijing was anti-communist. Our understanding was that the movement was calling for greater democracy and equality within a socialist framework. The support given to the movement in many cases with their lives by thousands if not millions of working people throughout China is in our opinion the strongest testimony of this.
Those responsible for the savage suppression of this movement in the Communist Party of China, the army and the government will have much to answer for. The struggle will go on. But they have ensured that it will be a bitter and violent, struggle. They have disgraced the name of the great Communist Party of China which for so many years was a source of inspiration for oppressed and exploited people around the world. Their actions have been and will be used by every reactionary demagogue to slander the name of communism.
We extend our sympathy to all those injured and bereaved and our solidarity to those progressive forces in the Communist Party and among the people struggling to overthrow those at present in control in Beijing.
Authorised release July 9th 1989