this post was submitted on 26 Apr 2026
446 points (81.0% liked)
Memes
55869 readers
681 users here now
Rules:
- Be civil and nice.
- Try not to excessively repost, as a rule of thumb, wait at least 2 months to do it if you have to.
founded 7 years ago
MODERATORS
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
view the rest of the comments
If the Chinese wanted to make an example of him, wouldn't they publicize his execution?
While making his whereabouts fizzle out like that makes people not idolize that man, as we have seen that when you put the face of every mass shooter in the front page of every news outlet it just inspired a few more copycats.
I don't think the CPC nor anyone ever knew his identity. 1989 was an era before mass surveillance. The only evidence that exists is this grainy analog footage shot from a mile away, and it includes no facial features. Do you know how many ~5'6" men with black hair there were in Beijing?
my pet theory is that he's alive today and doesn't even know the US has a cool photo of him
Even if they did lose the person after escorting him out, not making the person a big deal certainly helps in not encouraging copycats
Here's from Wikipedia in the aftermath of the 1989 protests:
Copycats...for the next Tiennamen square clash?
Least racist westerner
Lol, that was perhaps the least controversial thing I've ever posted that got removed by a mod.
Post less racist bullshit then
It was removed because it was racist
That's a bold lie to tell.
We can see it in the modlog. If you don't see how that's racist then that's a blindspot to work on.
Why turn him into a martyr?
A martyr for what? There were already plenty of dead to martyr, what difference would he make?
I didn't think there were any public trials and executions though?
You thought wrong. So back to the question, what cause would he become a martyr for, that the other dead couldn't be martyrs for?