Mao’s Portrait Defaced
23rd May, 1989 (Tue)
Three men who said they were from Hunan province (Mao Zedong's birthplace) defaced Mao's portrait on Tiananmen Square by splattering paint and eggs on it. The portrait was quickly covered. Many students were infuriated with the defacement, claiming that the vandals must have been government agents hoping to discredit the students' cause. The three men were immediately caught by the students and later turned in to the police.
According to an official estimate, one million people from all walks of life paraded on the streets of Beijing. It was the largest turnout since the declaration of martial law on May 20th. The demonstrations were dominated by workers from such groups as the government-affiliated Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Other included workers from organisation such as the Foreign Ministry, the CCP Central Committee Agricultural Policy Research Office, and pro-Communist 'democratic' parties that China allowed instead of an opposition.
The PLA troops enforcing martial law in central Beijing were hindered but still remained in their positions waiting for further commands. Some army troops retreated from their positions at intersections on the outskirts of the capital.
Exhibition Pack on the Tiananmen Massacre 
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Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China