The 1989 Tiananmen Square protest in Beijing began as students mourning the death of former leader Mao Zedong demanded more political freedom. When the government refused dialogue, thousands of students began protesting in Tiananmen Square. In early June, the government declared martial law and sent tanks and soldiers to clear the square, killing over 2,600 people. Key student leaders like Wang Dan and Xiao Qiang were arrested or fled the country, while Wuer Kaixi faced criticism for opportunism. The protest marked a pivotal moment in China's political development and a crackdown on dissent.
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