Wall of Democracy

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The Wall of Democracy (abbreviation: 西单 民主墙, traditional character: 西單 民主牆; pinyin: Xīdān Mínzhǔqiáng) is a brick wall on Xidan Street in the Xicheng district in Beijing , which became a focal point of the democracy movement from 1978.

Beijing

Starting in December 1978, during the Beijing Spring , democracy activists such as Xi Wenli posted news and ideas through wall newspapers ( dazibao ). The first notice was published by Huang Xiang , a poet from Guizhou Province . The wall newspapers criticized the gang of four and government misconduct in connection with Deng Xiaoping's attempt to gain power.

On December 5, 1978, Wei Jingsheng posted a signed poster titled The Fifth Modernization . It was the first poster to demand more individual freedom. With the claim that freedom is the only modernization that is more important than improved living conditions, it had a lasting effect on the democracy movement. The poster and its contents were a response to the four modernizations .

Before it was closed, the Wall of Democracy was relocated to Ritan Park . Visitors had to identify themselves, and free access was restricted. After open criticism of the leadership and system of the Chinese Communist Party , the wall was closed in December 1979. At the same time, the democracy movement was suppressed by arrests.

Nepal

After the establishment of democracy in 1990, a wall of democracy was set up in Ratna Park in Kathmandu. The place became a public speaking area for protesters. In August 2005, six months after King Gyanendra dismissed the elected government and took over government himself, the wall of democracy was torn down by the city authorities.

See also

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