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June 4 vigil in Hong Kong
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Tiananmen Mothers co-founder Ding Zilin pictured in 2009. Photo: AFP

Tiananmen mother faces lonely vigil on June 4 anniversary

Other group members continue annual tradition as campaigner reels from double family blow

Ding Zilin will face the anniversary of the June 4 crackdown on her own for the first time this year.

Ding, one of the most outspoken voices for victims of the 1989 crackdown, is reeling from the double blow of the death of her husband and daughter within months of each other late last year.

Her husband, Jiang Peikun, died aged 82 from a heart attack in September and their daughter, Jiang Wenzheng, was nearly 50 when she died in December.

“I’m sorry I can’t take your interview,” the 79-year-old said in a frail voice when approached by the South China Morning Post.

Ding Zilin: the founder of the Tiananmen Mothers

She said she was not in good shape and had just consulted a doctor about her heart problems.

We stuck to the three key principles initiated by Ding and her husband years ago
Tiananmen Mothers spokeswoman You Weijie

Ding was one of the founders of the Tiananmen Mothers organisation, which has campaigned for decades for a change in the government’s position on the June 4 crackdown.

The couple’s son, Jiang Jielian, was shot dead on his way to Tiananmen Square on June 3, 1989 when he was 17.

Zhang Xianling, another prominent member of the Tiananmen Mothers, said the loss of her husband and daughter had taken a great emotional toll on Ding.

“They were undeniably two consecutive huge blows to her,” Zhang said.

Age shall not weary the Tiananmen Mothers in their search for answers

As a result, the annual memorial address to commemorate the victims, has been a collective effort.

Group spokeswoman You Weijie said Ding and Jiang drafted the address for 26 years but this year it had been done by several other members.

“We consulted Ding after drafting the public letter,” You said.

“We stuck to the three key principles initiated by Ding and her husband years ago.”

The Tiananmen Mothers has continued to demand the central government publish the number and names of those killed in the crackdown; tell relatives how each victim was killed and compensate them in accordance with law; and hold those criminally responsible to account.

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