TIANANMEN: THE PEOPLE VS. THE PARTY
PBS, 9:00 p.m. ET
DOCUMENTARY PREMIERE: Thirty years ago, a demonstration from Chinese students seeking democratic reforms from their Communist government leaders led to a seven-week occupation of Tiananmen Square in the central heart of China. Then, tragically, a bloodbath, with the Chinese Army surrounding and invading the city and opposing the protesters with troops, guns, and tanks. Three decades later, this documentary establishes the context, explains the calls for reform, presents news and amateur footage of how it all went wrong – home video cameras were relatively new – and new eyewitness interviews to put China’s biggest pro-democracy movement in perspective. Check local listings.