This Day in 1989: May 25, 1990, Goddess of Democracy Broadcasting Boat Project Fails

On May 25, 1990, an old boat by the name of "Goddess of Democracy" was auctioned off in Taiwan's Keelong Port, marking the end of a project by oversea democracy movement to broadcast directly to mainland China.

In early March, 1990, The Democratic China Front organization and other oversea supporters launched the project. They spent $400,000 to purchase an explorer boat built in 1963 and refurbished and quipped it with radio broadcasting instruments. On March 17, the boat sailed from France to Asia with a plan to broadcast from off the eastern coast of China.

Since the plan might conflict with international laws, the boat was denied entry in many ports on its way. After arriving at Taiwan in May, it again failed to actually broadcast. Thus, it was finally auctioned. A businessman in Taiwan by the name of Wu Mengwu (吴孟武) bought the ship for $550,000.

Wu Mengwu later moved the boat to Tainan and attempted to remodel it into a Tiananmen Massacre Memorial. The effort also failed. In September, 2003, the boat was ordered to be disassembled by a local court due to overdue port fees.

Tiananmen Memorial: Goddess of Demoracy Statue at San Francisco

The Memorial
A replica of Goddess of Democracy statue stands in the Portsmouth Square Plaza in the San Francisco Chinatown

The following text is sculpted in the pedestal, in both English and Chinese:

 "Goddess of Democracy"

Dedicated to those who strive for and cherish human rights and democracy

The above photos were taken on December 15, 2015.

Location
Portsmouth Square Plaza in San Francisco:




History
The statue was erected on June 4, 1994, the five-year anniversary of Tiananmen Massacre.


Tiananmen Memorials

Tiananmen Memorial: Victims of Communism Memorial

The Memorial
It is not dedicated to the Tiananmen massacre per se, but at Washington, D.C., there is a "Victims of Communism Memorial," whose statue is a replica of the Goddess of Democracy.

The front side of the statue states:

To the more than one hundred million victims of communism and tho those who love liberty

The back side states:

To the freedom and independence of all captive nations and peoples

The above pictures were taken on October 23, 2015.

Location

At the northwest cross-section of Massachusetts Ave and New Jersey Avenue

History
According to Wikipedia, the US Congress passed a bill to authorize the memorial in 1993. But it was not built until 2007. President George W. Bush attended the unveiling ceremony on June 12, 2007.


Tiananmen Memorials

Pictures of 1989: The Terror in Darkness around 4AM on June 4, 1989

Students at the Monument of People's Heroes around 4am.

Around 3:45, Hou Dejian (center) and Zhou Duo (right) negotiate with troops.

At 4am, darkness fall at Monument as most of lighting in Tiananmen Square are turned off.

Soldiers on the move in Tiananmen Square.

Soldiers on the move in Tiananmen Square.

Soldiers on the move in Tiananmen Square.

Tanks approach the Monument of People's Heroes.

APC's approach Monument of People's Heroes.

At the Monument of People's Heroes, students sing and shout slogans with V-gestures.

The ruin of the Goddess of Democracy.

Pictures of 1989

Pictures of 1989: Tiananmen Square near Midnight of June 3, 1989

Quite possibly the last image of Goddess of Democracy before she is destroyed.

Pictures of 1989

Pictures of 1989: Tiananmen Square and Peasants Demonstration on May 31, 1989

Chai Ling (center), Li Lu (second from right), and Feng Congde (right) with supporters from Hong Kong.

The Monument of People's Heroes at Tiananmen Square on May 31, 1989.

New tents donated by Hong Kong people are set up in Tiananmen Square.

Goddess of Democracy at Tiananmen Square on May 31, 1989.

Goddess of Democracy at Tiananmen Square on May 31, 1989.

Xinhuamen on May 31, 1989.

Xinhuamen on May 31, 1989.

Peasants near Beijing demonstrate to support the government with a banner praising Deng Xiaoping.

Pictures of 1989

Pictures of 1989: The Unveiling of Goddess of Democracy on May 30, 1989

At dawn, the statue is getting her final polishing.

At dawn, the statue is getting her final polishing.

At dawn, the statue is getting her final polishing.

At dawn, the statue is getting her final polishing.

At dawn, the statue is getting her final polishing.

At dawn, the statue is getting her final polishing.

At dawn, the statue is getting her final polishing.

The statue, after formal unveiling.

The statue, after formal unveiling.

The statue, after formal unveiling.

The statue, after formal unveiling.

The statue, after formal unveiling.

The statue, after formal unveiling.

The statue, after formal unveiling.

The statue, after formal unveiling.

The statue, after formal unveiling.

The statue, after formal unveiling.

Pictures of 1989

Pictures of 1989: The Making of Goddess of Democracy

Students in the Central Academy of Fine Arts work on the statue on May 27, 1989.

Students in the Central Academy of Fine Arts work on the statue on May 27, 1989.

Students in the Central Academy of Fine Arts work on the statue on May 27, 1989.

Students transport the statue toward Tiananmen on the night of May 29, 1989.

Students transport the statue toward Tiananmen on the night of May 29, 1989.

Pictures of 1989